ABBOTTS OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9014, 29 March 1888, Page 5

ABBOTTS OPERA HOUSE.

"LITTLE JACK SHEPPARD."

After a somewhat prolonged vacancy, the

Opera House was re-opened last night by one of the best organised burlesque companies that has ever visited the colonies. They are under the management of Messrs.

Brough and Boucicault, and their fame [ has preceded them, as presenting the brightest and best impersonations in their various lines. The weather last night was decidedly unfavourable. This ana other causes accounted for the somewhat) thin attendance, in the dress circle especially, but there is such vim and go in the brilliant little operetta that; we feel quite confident it will fetch the public, and fill the house many times before it is withdrawn. It is not necessary to enter into any elaborate description of the plot or the surroundings. It is at once operatic, burlesque, and dramatic, and, by the way, to commence with the last feature we must say that in regard to mounting, scenic effects, and appointments, as well as dresses, nothing could exceed the skill shown. The first scene, Dollis Hill farm, was a beautiful picture of wood and glade filled in by a strong force of elegantlydressed servants of both sexes. The cafe in the Mint was also an eloquent picture of low life in London, and the subsequent scenes in the cells, etc., were equally telling. But these are the scenic effects only, and, except as explanatory, have little to do with the action of the play or opera—for it is both. The opening chorus is an admirable arrangement, and all the musical numbers are thoroughly rendered. The dialogue is full of fun ; in fact, the audience, when recovered from its first surprise, is fairly inflated with the humour of the burlesque. As regards the operatic performance, there are a number of really musical gems in this department, but it is difficult to disassociate the principals from the exigencies of the play, and iij is therefore necessary to deal with the leading characters personally. Miss Robina has an attractive presence, and a thorough appreciation of that young hero thief, Jack Sheppard. She displays an abandon which is thoroughly appreciated. Mr. E. B. Manning is a genial Sir Roland Trenchard, but the feature of the whole

performance is Mr. E. W. Royce, as Blueskin. The conception is simply fun let loose. The make-up is ludicrous in the extreme, but that is a small feature indeed in his performance. It is a thorough representation of a burlesque character from first to last, and Blueskin is as equally at home in his intrigues with Jack Sheppard as he is when presiding at the cafe in the Mint. Mr. Alfred James as Mendez plays a rather prominent part, and plays it well too ; and Mr. Robert Brough plays "Jonathan Wild." This is a character which Mr. Brough evidently makes his own. It is grotesque in the extreme, and the robing, the dancing, the characterisation, are all excellent. It is, in fact, unique, and only Mr. Brough could play it. This is the most prominent character in the piece, and there could be no improvements in it, either in record to grotesqueness or operatic effect. It; regard to the personnel of the other members of the company, we may say that they do not rely on any one quality for their claims on the public sympathy. In Miss Fanny Robina (Jack Sheppard), Miss Florence Harcourt(Thames Darrell), Miss Bessie Major (as Mrs. Sheppard), there are pure musical voices, and the comedy portion is fully supplied by every member of the company. Tne scenic effects are, of course, the leading feature. The performance altogether is such as to defy criticism. It has to be seen, there is no other way to understand it. It is full of fun and merriment, is rich in conundrums and jokes, there is a certain air of sentiment and dramatic effect, and a large amount of scenic display arranged with great magnificence. The dressing is superb throughout, and we believe we are safe in saying that on no other occasion has any production in Auckland been produced on a scale of such magnificence.