WILLIAMSON'S REPERTOIRE COMPANY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12859, 6 May 1905, Page 7

WILLIAMSON'S REPERTOIRE COMPANY.

11.M.5. PINAFORE.''

Tin. crowded .state tit His Majesty's Theatre last night—many persons being content to stand in all sections of the house—testified

to the popularity of " H.M..S. Pinafore," the J last of Mr. J. C. Williamson's Company's Gilbert and Sullivan series-. The dainty I opera was given an excellent interpretation, ! and was most enthusiastically received. In- j deed, the frequency of the encores was re-i markable. Admirably mounted and dressed. the whole of the business appropriate and effective, and the stage pictures pretty and I attistic, little was left wanting to contribute to one of the most enjoyable evenings the j company have given us. Mis,s Delia Ghilowi ! secured fresh admirers in a delightful im- j personation of Little Buttercup, making of' the bum boat woman the precise type of \ qttaintness that should ensure appreciation. ! The clever artiste was moreover in line voice, l her rendering of the solo, "I'm Called Little j Buttercup," being beyond praise. .She was j no less excellent in the legend. "A Many ' Yeats Ago/' and her work in the duet. j

"Things Are Seldom What They Seem." j largely assisted in making this item a palp- ! aide hit. Mr. Howard Vernon's Sir .Joseph Porter, was another of this gifted actor's m- I imilab'o portrayals, finished, and wonderfully dry in its innate humour. His great | solo, '•'When 1 Was a Lad.'' was splendidly .sung, and had to be icpeated. Again, in' the trio. "Never Mind the Why or Where- ; lore." Mr. Vernon's v. orb was exceedingly ] good. Miss Dolly Castles, in the extremely j difficult singing role of Josephine, once more j came out with flying colours. Her vivacity and in lines,-: well suited the part, and she ' sang with distinct ability, Her so'.o, "Sorry j Her Lot," was beautifully vocalised, and was warmly encored. In the taxing music of her j second song, "The Hours Creep On Apace,'" ! Miss Castles revealed exceptional executive skill, and her voice was well displayed. She I was also admirable in the duet "Refrain. Audacious Tar." here again the beauties of her voice showing with prominence. Mi. Frank Wilson, playing with the confidence and ease of an accomplished artiste, made a most excellent Captain Corcoran. He won fresh laurels also in his singing. The line solo. "1 Am the Captain of the Pinafore." was an excellent example of this performer's art and vocal qualities, lie also gave a highly acceptable rendering of the song. " Fair .Moon," besides being well heard in the several duets and concerted numbers in which he shared. Mr. Walter Whyte. as Ralph Raekstiaw, made a decided success. His acting showed an advance in quality, and being in good voice he rendered the music of the part exceedingly well. "The Nightingale Sighed" received expressive treatment from bin . as did the beautiful ensuing aria. "A Maiden Fair to See. ' lie gave to "A British Tar" a line vigorous interpretation, and sang with real feeling in the duet with Josephine. His woik in the concerted numbers and finales was likewise very good. Mr. nest Fills made much of the comedy part o c Dick Deadeye, giving it v highly amusing reading. lie was particularly good in the line duet with Corcoran, "The Merrv Maiden and the Tar." Mr. H. 11. Wallace was responsible for sonic very funny business as Bill Bobslay which created much laughter. Mr. .John Pulsion was a, capable and breezy bo'stin, and deservedly gained an encore for his singing of the solo, " Ho is an Englishman." Several numbers were interpolated in the second act. a feature which may be open to question, but which nevertheless resulted in > storms of applause for each item. Mr. Fills' song, "We Tars," was encored, and Miss Aggie Thorn's solo, with chorus, "Off to the Rio Grande,'' obtained a double encore, and was worthy of it. Miss lima Carou, as a midshipmite, played with much intelligence and brightness, and her hornpipe was so neatly and gracefully executed as to call forth a double' encore. A similai result followed a clever eccentric hornpipe by Mr. 11. H. Wallace. The gentlemen of the chorus rendered two part-songs, "Comrades in Arms,'' and "When Evening Twilight." which were warmly applauded. The choruses of the opera, proper were all capably sung, the male voices being called upon for the major por- i tiou of them. "IT.M.S. Pinafore" will be staged again to-night, when this: popular company gives its farewell performance of the season."