ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12853, 29 April 1905, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

WILLI A M REPERTOIRE . : COMPANY. '' „ * J

" lOLA XT I lE." " GILBEBT AND StJIM VAX'S I'lichaiU ltlg- fairjt - opera, " lolanthe," was given at Hid Ma- • . .*.* jesty's Theatre last night by Mr. J. C. Wilt liamson's Repertoire Company. The production was welcomed by a large, audience ; ; in a manner that testified to thei:- appreciation. One or two of the more familiar num- > bars were even applauded in anticipation as the symphony was played. There were frequent encores also, whilst the curtain hadi ;j to be raised after the finely-rendered finale , to the first act and the chorus repeated. The bright atmosphere of the opera was wellsustained, and its vocal interpretation was excellent. Mr. Henry Bracy's rare judgment as a-producer was again evidenced to a marked degree, tin- business and actioii throughout being most effective. Sir. Howard Vernon, as the Lord Chancellor, pre-;* sented one of those finished and gifted portrayals that proclaim him an artist, to his* finger tips. For every quip he had an appropriate gesture, for each witty line the very aptest expression. The skilled comedian had a most enthusiastic reception in, the trio, "Faint Heart," in the second act, in which he* easily won chief honours (with. no discredit to his ,fellow artists) by the quaint ninibleness of his eccentric dancing,' 'vj and by his inimitable drollery. Just prior ; to this number (which was imperatively redemanded), Mr. Vernon had sung, as fowl could sing; the remarkable patter song, . " When You're Lying Awake." In .the firsts act his solo, "When I Went to the Bar," was given a strikingly good Tendering, as was his opening solo, "The Law is the True Embodiment." Miss Vinia do Loitte, inl the title role, gained a decidedly favourable! verdict. The part was we'd enacted, whilst lolanthe's lovely ballad in the second act, "He Loves." was sung beautifully: Mia.-' de Loitte imparted the utmost feeling into this number, her. abandon and depth of expression fairlv entitling- her to the insistent encore that .followed. Miss Polly Castles was 9, most charming Phyllis, playing with refreshing naivete and intelligence. Slier richly deserved the ungruc'.ge-d applause heir artistic singing won for her. Miss Castles' vocalisation in the duet. "None Shall Part Us," in the trio, " My Well-loved Lord," in. tho quartette, "Tho' P'raps T. May," and again In the delightful duet, " If We're Weak Enough to Tarry." as well as in tho ensembles, was good enough to have ddno credit to an artiste of much riper experience. Miss Celia Ghiloni's Fairy Queen was another ex-( ample of this talented lady's capabilities. It was a conception of entire- merit. In he.' fine rendering of the well-known song, " Oh, Foolish Fay," she aroused richly-deserved! enthusiasm, and had to respond to the encore. Mr. John Ralston made successful 1 use of his opportunities as Strephon, a part which he enacted well, and for -which his musical voice was excellently suited. He: sang . particularly well in the duets with Phyllis. Mr. Chas. Kenningham was a! spirited and jovial Karl Tollolter, and sang; very acceptably, despite an occasional slight huskiness of voice. Ills solo, "Spurn Not the Nobly Born," was especially well rendered. Both ho and Mr. Frank Wilson were excellent, in the concerted numbers. The latter, as Mouiitararot, played mo?', artistically, and his song, "When Britain ' Really Ruled the Waves," was so vigorously sung,, and so well withal, that the encore thafl ensued seemed a matter of course. Mr. Ernest Fitts imbued Private Willi* with a: dry humour, that was very appropriate. Ho i gave a. remarkably effective rendering oi the solo, " When All Night Long" (sentry song). Misses Ruby Arnfield, Aggie Thorno, and! Vera Buttel were fascinating .'airics. The choruses were riiagniiicently sung, and the opera was most tastefully dressed and mounted. It will be repeated, to-night and on Monday night. i OPERA HOUSE. : A large audience, witnessed the last pro« duction of "A Sailor's Sweetheart" bv the Anderson Dramatic Company at tho Operri House last night. This evening Air. Anderson will stage for the first time iu Auckland! the domestic drama, "Through the Divorce Court," written by Max Goldberg, a play, which is said to be- impressive and wholesome, and teeming with fine character studies. The Otago Times, speaking of its recent production in Dunedin, said: "Tho various scenes were watched with deep interest by the audience, and the court scene! found an especial favour. 'Through the. Divorce Court' contains a bright and sparkling vein of -humour, of very considerable* merit, and in many respects it is considerably above the ordinary run of drama. In this play the Anderson Company certainly provide theatrical fare, which should meet with_ undeniable public favour, and the production is well worth seeing."