"THE HAPPY LAND."

New Zealand Mail, Issue 423, 20 March 1880, Page 18

"THE HAPPY LAND."

The announcement that the above burlesque would be produced at the Academy of Music on Wednesday, drew a large audience anxious to witness a play that had gained so •wide a notoriety through its prohibition in Victoria. Considerable delay took place in commencing the entertainment, it being fully twenty minutes past 8 when the curtain rose, and the audience were very demonstrative in consequence. The first" portion of the entertainment consisted' of a sand jig, by Mr. Wilkinson, and several character songs, with quick changes, by Mr. Barry O'Neill. These were received with manifestations of approval by the iuulience, and Mr. Cary's excellent rendering of that fine old bass song, " The Wolf," was applauded to the echo. Miss St. Clair, a new aspirant to musical fame, sang Gantz's "Sing, sweet bird," displaying a good voice, and we regret that her efforts were not i etter appreciated by some of the larrikin element in the pit.

"Happy Land" was produced after an interval, the curtain rising upon a scene in fairy land, and the play ran something after this fashion : A number of fairies, who have exhausted other forms of amusing themselves?, resolve to bring some mortals to their domains, -to instruct them in the mysteries of popular government. Zealandia is the spot fixed upon from which to obtain-instructors, and accordingly Sir George G—y (Mr. Wilkinson), J. S. ]y[— c — n —w (Mr. T. Williams), and the Great O' Johnny, " ths Maori ladies' pride," (Mr. Crooke), are introduced. The appearance upon the stage of these characters was the signal for long continued merriment. Sir George G—y was the first to present himself, aud although his personal appearance was not particularly like that of the original, the walk and manner was decidedly the old knight's. Jas. M—c—n—w was a very good make up, while that of "the great O'Johnny " was excellent. At a subsequent stage the Hon. Johnuy M n, a demon (Mr. upon the stage, and this character divided the palm with that of the great O'Johuny for suggestiveness of the original. The play, which has been localised by a well known author of this cty, abounds with local hits which require to be heard to be appreciated, and the fun caused by them was very great. The allotment of portfolios amongst the fairy Ministers was a diverting portion of the burlesque, the treasurership causing quite a scramble amongst the aspirants for Ministerial honor.'?, and the portfolio was ultimately awarded to the one who confessed to knowing nothing about accounts, and who stated that " two and two make three, or five, which ever will fit in best." The one who did not know what a ship was, was packed off to take command of the Hinemoa, while the portfolio of Minister of Railways was given to one who had never seen a steam engine. The complications which arise are of course great, but these only add to the merriment, and when in consequence of a riot made by "the unemployed," Sir George advises the fairy Ministers to send for the Mayor to read the Riot Act, and is informed that that official cannot come because he is "keeping Diver and Allen in order, and preventing Fisher and Maginnity from fighting," t the climax is reached, and 'the audience is convulsed with uncontrollable laughter. The various characters were well allotted. Miss Amy Johns was a piquant Selena, and was ably seconded by Miss Lena Wyatt, a nice little lady, who, as Darive, displayed great aptitude for stage business, and was, as she invariably is, well up in her part. Miss Amy Thornton was very pleasing and effective in the character of Zayda. The acting of the male performers was all that could be desired, but we must take exception to a rather suggestive song entitled " Moses and Aaron," which was rendered by the Hon. Johnny M n, and we would advise the management to omit this song [in future.