THE "PIRATES OF PENZANCE."

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLI, Issue 317, 7 December 1906, Page 2

THE "PIRATES OF PENZANCE."

There was a full house to w»f^ Lhe production of the comic op<;f a 1 "j Pirates of Penzance" by Richmond amateurs at the Theatre last evening. Such a liberal patronage must nave been extremely gratifying. anc ' a " W took part were able early in tne e-ren ing to "feel" that the audience was a sympathetic one, and one inclined to be scarcely critical. This was a* it should have been, for the mere fact that a small township like Richmond should have attempted the production of the opera— not by any means the to difficult of Gilbert and Sullivan s works that could have been «*osen-en. tilled the performers to the utmost consideration 1 : To say that the opera was produced in a manner that left SSR £.1 Sf&KS (f---were generally creditably given about 40 mixed voices taking part. m fact, 'the full-part singing was the feature of the performance, and in one or two choruses a high standard was reached, the audience testifying its hearty approval by demonstrative applause. The soloists, too at times earned unstinted applause, Miss Gilbert as "Mabel" coming in for the largest share, both her acting and singing being very creditable. Mrs W. K. May, as "Ruth," had a fairly full part, and is to be complimented on her representation of it Other characters were :- "Edith" (Miss E. Kingsland), ..Kate (Miss F. Thomas), "Ethel" (miss, b. Talbot), "Isobel" Mrs W. May, jun. Mr W H. May as "The Pirate King, Mr J W. Henderson as "Major-Gen-eral Stanley," and Mr A. P. Allport as "Frederic" (a pirate apprentice), sustained the more important male Characters of the opera, the parts of Sergeant of Police" and "Samuel <the Pirate King's lieutenant) being entrusted to Mr J. Cameron and Mr Joe O'Connor respectively. An orchestra of over a dozen instruments assisted, the whole performance being given under the direction of Mr T. C Webb with Miss Pike as pianist, Mr A Webb as leader of the orchestra, and Mrs Vv K May as stage manager. It should be mentioned that the costumes were generally admired, and formed quite a feature of the evening. Altogether the promoters and those who worked so hard towards the production or the opera are to be complimented on the success attending their efforts, and they may be assured that they gave the city people a very pleasant evening.

The cantata St. Cecilia s Day will he rendered at the School of Music on Wednesday next by a large chorus and orchestra under the conductorship of Mr Purcell Webb. The second part ot the programme wjll consist of miscellaneous items by popular performers. Tickets may be reserved at Jackson's.