ABBOTTS OPERA USE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7922, 14 April 1887, Page 5

ABBOTTS OPERA USE.

A double bill was presented at the Opera House last night by Williamson, Garner, and Musgrove'a Royal Comedy Company, before & large house, the dress circle and stalls being well patronised. A one-act comedy entitled " Written in Sand" was given as a ' prelude, and was well received, affording scope for the versatile powers of the company. It was followed by an extravaganza 1 called "Nita's First." Its run of popularity in England bespoke a good reception here, and last night's production was a pronounced success. As to the plot of the piece, it is 1 very simple indeed. As may be imagined it 1 turns upon the first born of a secret marriage. In order to conceal the young stranger, it is deposited at the bouse of the young wife's 1 brother (Fred Fizzleton), but the cries of ' the infant are heard by his suspicious 1 wife. She creates a storm, and in ! the meantime the child - is unintentionally left at a neighbouring mausion, then in a cab, and finally goes to Scotland Yard, ! where it is claimed by a young woman who is not its mother. Its disappearance, the j discovery of the marriage, and the infant's wanderings, all form situations which create 1 a fund of amusement for the audience. Mies Agnes Thomas sustains the part of Mrs. ' Patience Fizzleton with a large amount of 1 success, but she does not appear so pro- ' minently as in other comedies she has played I in here. Miss Herrick as Mrs. Patience ' Fizzleton, Miss E. Claibourne as Nita, and ' Miss Annie Taylor as Miss Prim, were all 1 happily cast. In the somewhat minor part ' of a servant, Miss Beatrice Lyster as Jane 1 was simply splendid, creating no end of ' laughter. Mr. G. W. Anson was the prin- ' cipal cbaractsr, and as the irascible Frizzleton ' displayed his fine abilities for low comedy. ' Indeed, in this particular, we believe 1 | there iB not his equal in the colonics at c present. Mr. G. S. Titheradge had a minor ' part in Fred Fizzleton, while Mr. Frank ' Gates as Will Frankleigh, acted with his ' customary success. Tho "Jimmy" of Mr. ' d'Arcy Stantield was very boyish and funny, } while Mr. Fred Starimaur made the most of ■* the part of Mr. St. George. The staging J was good, the dressing and scenery being J well up to -the company's reputation. The ' bill is announced again for to-night, while "Betsy" is anderlined for to-morrow I (Friday), and the "Magistrate" on Saturday, which is the last night of the season. **