THE RIGNOLD SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10415, 13 April 1897, Page 5

THE RIGNOLD SEASON.

The largest audience of the current season assembled yesterday evening at the Opera House. Mr. Georgo Rignold had made it a souvenir night, and before the doors were opened the crowd anxious for admission occupied tho whole of the footwalk in front of the theatre and several yardß of tho roadway in, Wellesley-street. When the curtain rose, tho entire floor was packed, including the space usually apportioned to the orchestra, while in the dress circle there were very few seats to spare. As to the comedy produced, Derrick's " Confusion," the verdict of evoryono was, "it's the funniest thing I have ever Been," From beginning to end thero was nothing but laughter ovor the confusion caused by a newly married couple engaging a male and female servant as "singles," when the latter wero noli only married but bad a baby. The new wife, however, had a pet pug, and her husband didn't like dogs, and so a mix up occurred as to who owned the bipedal and the quadrupedal darling. Mr. Rignold played Mortimer Mumpleford, the " aggrieved" husband, and the comedy he pub into it was eo good that few who had seen him in heavier parts could believe they saw the same person. Miss Emilie Hughes matlo a beautiful Rose Mumpleford, and showed herself as capable in lighter parts as in emotional. Mr. S. Whyte as Christopher Blizzard, and Miss Georgie Sraithson as Miss Truckleby j Mr. H. Douglas as James, and Mire Watts Phillips as Maria were well paired and played to make the comedy complete. The other parts were also well filled. At the fall of the curtain Mr. Rignold announced that the owner of a certain number drawn would be presented with a £25 Onslow bicycle, and everyone else present with a ticket for the morrow's (to-night) performance. The first number drawn was 919, which was immediately claimed by ah occupant of the stalls, who 'gave his name, as Mr 'Henry Evansiand his address "Cosmopolitan." -} : "Confusion" will be repeated this and tomorrow evenings, when the season will close. :i v'"" 1 , C',- :■'