THEATRE ROYAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10654, 15 May 1895, Page 6

THEATRE ROYAL.

LBS CLOCHES DE OOENEVILLE. Plauqusite’o charming opera. Les Cloches dc Corneville, was otsgad by tho Pollard Lilliputian Company last evening, and waa performed throughout in o manner that left little, if anything, to be desired. It may ba said at onco that though the piece is by no mcaao unknown to Christchurch audiences, it hsa never bean co well represented ss it was fast evening. The audience was large and appreciative, and tha juveniles entered thoroughly into the piece, receiving calls at the close of each act. Without doubt tho feature of tha performance was Master Alf Stephen's impersonation of tha part of Gnopard, ia which he displayed histrionic ability of a high order. While avoiding every temptation to overact fcho part, he gave a faithful interpretation of the greed of tho eccentric old man. Ha was especially good ia the scene where he ia discovered countin'* the gold in tho old chateau, while in the last act, where ha recovers ins reason sufficiently to point cut Germaine as tho Countess tie Lucisnne, ho fairly excelled himself. Mias Cissy Ssndforcl made a vivacious and captivating ifarpolc-tfco, and wnc especially good ia her eong “Just Look at This,” which wan given with groat archness, and received a well - merited encore. Miss May Beatty’s interpretation of the part of Germaine, was a very creditable one. Her song in the haunted chateau waa w&U given, as was also that entitled “ Girls Should Neves Say Yoa or Nay,” and tho solo with tho “ chimes ” chorus. Mias Maud Beatty made the moat of tho pari of tha Marquis, ringing and acting in a very pleasing manner. Mi<a Mitcbell, an Greiucheux was successful, her singing of “That Night I’ll Ne’er Forget,” being greeted with loud applause. Mies Lily Stephans made the moat of the parfcofChriatophe. Master W. Percy as tho Baillie was very successful, infusing a great deal of fan into tha character. The part of the attenuated Gobo waa taken by Master H. Qucaly, who filled the character to a nicety, and his opider dance created much amusement. The choruses wero all well gives, that of the “chimes” especially. The scenery was appropriate, trad tho orchestra interpreted fcho petty music in an able raanr.ee.

This evening The Merry War, by Johann Strauss, will be ■performed for the first tlma in the colony. The opera, when produced for the first time at Drury Ijsp.9 su ISB2 had a mart successful season. The play is so called from the hostilities which occur between two petty StatesGenoa and Massa Carrara —caused by the fact that a favourite dancer has made simultaneous engagements at the theatre of each, the disputed question being which of tho contracts the dancer shall fulfil. The war is not waged with groat fury, as bub one hand-grenade a day is fired. Tho content develops into a picture of “still life,” which ia only interrupted by the appearance .ia one of the camps of the pretty Countess Violetta, who, in disguise, attsmpfcsltn make her way within tho lines of the other city, fa order to command, the fortress. T'ho colonel in command grants her permission to pass through the lines, but decides to take revenge for the deception by marrying her. Having heard that she is about to marry tho Duka do Limbarg by prosy, he arranges to represent the duke, and the marriage takes place without the suspicion of the countess being excited as to bis identity. Complications arise in the matrimonial arrangements, all of which are dissolved by subsequent explanations, and a treaty of peace between the militants is arranged.