Les Cloches de Corneville.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 3241, 14 February 1896, Page 2

Les Cloches de Corneville.

Messrs. Higham and Baker's Lilliputian Opera Company played again last evening to a good house. Owing to an accident, Master E. Whittaker could not attend, and the part of " Grenechieux " was taken by Mr A'Court, who appeared, as " Gobo " on the previous evening, the latter role being taken by Mr Geo. Brown, a prominent member of the Wanganui Musical and Dramatic Club, and who has appeared hi the character before. The juveniles having overcome their nervousness, the piece from first to last went off with great dash, many of the solos and choruses being encored. The improvement in this respect was most marked, and their rendition of the operajast night would have done credit to adults, the principals as well as chorus putting far more animation. into their acting. It is hardly fair to individualise this tune, as the principals were all good. " Germain's " (Miss K. Connell) solos were thoroughly appreciated and she had to again respond to a vociferous encore in the "Bells" chorus, the solo being excellent, whilst the duo "'Tis She" with the " Marquise " (Mrs H. K. Baker) was a musical treat. Mrs Baker, in " Silent Heroes " and the solo " With all my Heart," scored a success, and the solo and chorus, no> doubt the best in the opera, had to be repeated after prolonged demand. " Serpolette," Miss K. Whittaker, also had to -respond to two encores, her rendition of the "Cider Song " again being especially pleasing. "Le Bailee " and " Gaspard," in the hands of Messrs Boyd and Baker respectively, were again strong characters. A word of praise must be bestowed on Mr G. Brown for his interpretation of "Gobo." He kept the audience in a constant titter, relieved occasionally by an outburst, by his comicalities, and proved a great acquisition. The curtain had to be raised a second tune at tho conclusion of each act, and the audience were most enthusiastic.