THEATRE ROYAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXI, Issue 7224, 25 April 1884, Page 5

THEATRE ROYAL.

♦ “ La Mascotte.”

Stimulated, apparently, by the largely increased attendance at the theatre last night, each of the principal performers threw more life and buoyancy into their acting and singing than on Wednesday evening. The consequence was a very much crisper, more spirited and attractive performance of Audran’s popular work than that on Wednesday, upon which occasion it was produced for the first time. Miss Stewart in the first act showed herself thoroughly mistress of the part of Bettina, which might very easily he spoilt by injudicious and rough handling, but which, as this lady plays it, is the very best representation of the kind seen here for along time past. Her really artistic and excellent acting as the phrase goes, quite “ brought down the house,” and she even received the rare compliment of a recall in the middle of a scone from which she had just made her exit. The “ Glou, Glou ” duet, in which Bettina and Pippo take part, was, it is almost unnecessary to say, encored in the first act, and also on its repetition in the finale to the second. Mr Vernon sang and acted well as Pippo ; Miss Luldiarcl coquetted charmingly and gracefully with her two lovers; Mr Woodtiold made his clear voice heard to great advantage in the concerted pieces, and also in his two pretty solos; and the farmer Rocco and his comic friend, the Grand Duke, wore well represented by Messrs Kelly and Wallace. The chorus-singers have much light and taking music to perform and do their work very well indeed. Mr Williamson s choruses never need to have attention drawn to them; they are always composed of people with voices, and who do not toigot their possession of them, and who also sing with precision, and go through their “ drill ” correctly and smartly. The present chorus forms no exception to the rule. They are also magnificently dressed, tno pages' and courtiers’ robes looking rich, sumptuous and handsome, while the uniitary drosses and glitter of armour in the last act lend bright, enlivening touches to all the scone. Messrs Gordon and Hennings have boon true to their reputation as the most skilful scenic artists in the Australasion Colonies, and have painted some very beautiful scenery tor the piece. The backgrounds in the first < and second acts are undoubtedly very excellent; but the grand old trees and misty autumnal atmosphere in forest landscape, with its foreground of ferns and

little piece of water, forming tho appropriate setting to the third, are almost worth going to ace for themselves alone. The orchestra participated in the general improvement yesterday evening, and the accompaniments were fuller and more smoothly given. In fine, played as it was yesterday evening, with capable artists in the principal roles, and a gorgeous misc-cn-scene, “La Mascotte” should attract just as large audiences for some time to come for it is well worth seeing.