THEATRE ROYAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5651, 27 December 1879, Page 5

THEATRE ROYAL.

THE LXNGARDS. The performance of "H.M.S. Pinafore/' last night, by this talented company drew together the largest audience that has ever visited the theatre. The cast waat as follows Sir Joseph Porter, Mr. W. H. Lingard ; Joscphiue, Miss A. D. Lingard; Ralph Rackstraw, Mr. A. Hays (first appearance) ; Buttercup, Miss B. Leopold; Hebe, Miss Melrose ; Captain Corcoran, Mr. G. Leopold; Ben Bickstay, Mr. C. Craig; .'Jiek iJeadeye. Mr. C. Warner. Bef »re the usual hour, tho dres*.circle was literally cratntned ; many visitors had to go away, and a number of ladies and gentlemen, althuug'r possessing ticket?, had t> wait on the stairs It so naopened that the box-k°eper's tickets were »-x i isD-rd, ;»nd s'.vn.-i delay nrcr.rrrd before L •••■uid g.vt a fr-s ! isupply. The :loke"- which r-e i• s" \ 1 is* n'giit will b j avail i' e nr thi< cwui-w. Tliere was the

• i dispos't:on »nanifc.-te-a on the part of everv -o.lv, and ireu wetc v»-ry willing ti» \ "nraoda'ie la ; cliairs were brought f:o:n every p ace, but even these did not > lord sutii i-.'iit accommodation. The cr ivv a bjth in tun upper and lower parts of t' e house was deuseiy paukud. When the curtain rose the usual che?u was raised for "the Captaia and Crew" of the Pinafore, so that the performance had the advantage, from the tirst, of very demonstrative encouragement. The effect was apparent, The stage business throughout was excellent. Mi-s Lingard, Miss Leopold, and Miss Melrose sang with great effect. One or two o£ tlia ohorueo* at the firat were a little mixed, but as the performance progressed the singers became more assured, and everything went trippingly to the close. Mr. Lingard's 41 Fust Lord" was an excellent example of acting the burlesque being well sustained, aud the point 9 being delivered with precision. A3 for Mias Lingard, her singing affords an additional proof of her surprising versatility. Mr. Leopold's Captain Corcoran, and Mi*. Warner's Dead-eye, were clever performance?. Mr. Hayes possesses a good tenor voice, but he was slightly hoarse, or for pome other cause his voice was not heard to the best advantage. But he looked the part of Rackstraw, and sang aud played it remarkably well. This celebrated comic opera will be repeated this evening.