MARTHA.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume X, Issue 1925, 9 May 1888, Page 2

MARTHA.

The Hawera Choral Society were fortunate on Tuesday night in having at last hit upon au evening when the weather was fine, and when there were few, if any, counter attractions. A full house greeted the first representation of Yon Plotow's well-known comic opera. By long practice and careful rehearsal the singing and music had been thoroughly mastered, and it was evident no pains had been spared to render the piece a complete success, both as to the dresses and stage mounting. The new scenery, which had been gratuitously painted by Mr. Swinbnrne, was greatly admired ; iv fact, on tbe curtain rising and showing the view of Richmond Fair, before any of the actors had graced the boards, a well-earned burst of applause was accorded to the artist by the house, the 6mall boys at the back being vociferously enthusiastic. The play went well, and the popular verdict was given in these words: "capital," "a great success," " splendidly done," and "wonderfully good for amateurs," &c. Some £25 was taken at the doors, a sum which must have represented fully a £30 house, after allowance has been made for Choral Society's members' passes.

The title role was assumed by Mrs. Swinburne, who once more Bhowed that the society were fortunate in securing a representative who could render the character with so much histrionic and musical talent. The first scene was played with confidence and accuracy, and the duccess of the rest of the entertainment was thereby assured. TLe heroine was in excellent voice during tbe evening, and her rendering of the ever popular song, " The Last Rose of Summer," an air which is brought in with great effect in the second, third, and fourth acts, never failed to bring down the house. When the first two verses were given in the second act, tbe einger was listened to with breathless attention, and a perfect storm of applause greeted her at the close of the ballad, an encore being demanded and graciously accorded. In the duet in the second act, in which tbe soprano sings " You would deceive me," the heroine more than supported the high reputation which she has earned. Her execution of the part as a whole showed a careful appreciation of the many and varied points to be made. The character affords great scope for telling dramatic action and all those opportunities were made the most of. Lady Harriet or Martha was ably supported by Miss Straker as Nancy. Opinions were divided as to whether the stage business as rendered by the latter was not even superior to Martha's. Comparisons are proverbially invidious, and we only mention the taot to show what excellent support was accorded to the prima domia. As a matter of fact the lively character of Nancy renders it a more taking part for the eye of the public than the more complex, less healthy, and fickle bundle of contradictions which the character of Martha is represented to be. Everyone agreed that Miss Straker never sang better than, if as well, as last night. Her voice is slightly deficient in power, but the defect was not noticeable last night to any of those in the body of the hall. Both Nancy and Plunkett received a welldeserved encore for their duet in the fourth act in the song " What's to do." Mr. T. Smart, as Lionel, played the Bentimental lover to the life. Bat his interpretation of the part was less spirited than that commonly given. In the fii-st act he was not in such good voice as we have beard him, but in his solo, " None bo rare, none so fair," in the third act he sang and acted admirably. In the finale, ulso, his fine tenor voice was heard to great advantage. Plunkett, the jovial young farmer, was capitally rendered by Mr. Wilßon. Much of the success of tbe piece rested on his abouldei'B, and was well sustained by them. There was neither hitch nor hesitation from beginning to end of hia r6le, and he was thus a source of great strength to the cast. Mr. Swinburne, dressed, looked and acted tbe part of tbe aged dandy of tbe period in a style which elicited frequent applause, and it was doubtless his part of the performance which was largely instrumental in calling forth tbe hearty encore which given in the trio at the end of the first scene.' He sang well, and has a strong voice of good volume aud quality. Mr. Hurley played and sang tbe Sheriff in a way which left nothing to be desired. The minor parts and the choruses were rendered creditably, though one of the part singers had to surrender her part at the last moment, owing to a severe cold in the chest. Amateur critics were loud in tbeir praises last night of the excellent orchestral accompaniment given by Miss P aimer, as pianiste. No doubt such praises were thoroughly well- deserved, and were heartly aad gratefu'ly endorsed by everyone who took part in the play. Great regret was expressed that Mr. Laishlev should have been unable to see the crowning finish to the work which he had labored at so faithfully and well as conductor of the society ; however his labors were not forgotten on the occasion. Mr. Wanklyn, who with many misgivings took up the mantle which had fallen from Mr. Laishley's shoulders some six weeks' ago, has shown that his talent for stage management, backed up by his love of music, were sufficient to enable him to support the weight of his office with credit to himself and the society. He conducted en grand maitre.