IMPERIAL OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5555, 17 January 1879, Page 2

IMPERIAL OPERA HOUSE.

Last night’s repetition of “ Alone” and “ Black-Eyed Susan” brought to a close one of the most successful dramatic seasons within the recollection of Wellington playgoers—successful not only as regards the high quality of the performances which they have had the rare privilege to witness, but we are glad to add in a pecuniary sense as well. This very satisfactory result is of course mainly attributable to the admirable acting of Mr. Rignold in every character he has assumed ; but there are many members of the company who can justly take credit to themselves for lending a powerful helping hand in the accomplishment of all that has been done since the inauguration of the season. Mr. Darrell’s management has been in all respects characteristic of him, and the monetary success that has attended his exceedingly risky and costly undertaking is, we sincerely trust, but an avant-gout of what awaits him in the other cities of New Zealand, to which Messrs. Rignold and Darrell, and the powerful company which surrounds them, intend to transport themselves during the interval which is to ensue between their departure and their return to Wellington. The efforts of Messrs. Rignold and Darrell have been ably seconded by|their respective agents— Messrs. Macdonald and Edwards—and the stage hands have also joined in the esprit de corps that has prevailed from the commencement to the close of the season. Although the fact has never before been mentioned, the orchestra (under Mr. Spiller’s leadership) deserves a word of praise for the music they nightly^discoursed, not only that incidental to the piece, which was invariably well played, but likewise the selections between the acts, which were generally of so pleasing a kind as to render the “waits” a great deal less tiresome than they generally are. The points which were referred to in yesterday’s : notice of “ Alone” were made the most of in the second representation of this excellent comedy-drama, and the honors of the evening were shared in almost equally by Mr. Rignold, Miss Jennie Watt, Miss Annie Major, Mr. Vincent, and Mr. A. Elliot, who was perfectly irresistible in the part of Stratton Strawles. His reading of the manuscript in the final act, and his running commentary upon it, kept the audience in an almost continual roar of laughter. Mr. Elliot’s handling of the part will not readily be forgotten by those who have witnessed it, and it will not surprise us to hear of this gentleman making a big name in the profession some day or other. The same observation applies with equal force to Miss Jennie Watt, who made a capital impression as Mrs. Thornton. Her vivacity was in most perfect keeping with the anther’s creation, and the applause accorded to

her could not have been more enthusiastic. To the very last her piquancy never deserted her, and the sarcastic exchanges with Wicklewhaite were conveyed with bctwitching archness, including that parting shot at her ardent admirer, when, in accepting the doctor a hand, she declares she has taken her physic, and excuses herself somewhat after the fashion of Mrs. Toodles, by remarking “ that to a person of her delicate health, what a comfort it will be to have her medical adviser near her.” “ Black-Eyed Susan” went as well as it did on the previous evening, and Mr. Rignold was loudly applauded for the manner in which he acquitted himself as William. After the fall of the curtain at the end of the first piece, Miss Jennie Watt, Miss Major, Mr. “Vincent, Mr. Elliot, and lastly Mr. Rignold, were called before the curtain, and each in his or her turn was greeted with the most rapturous applause. . Mr. Kiguold, when silence was restored, said that as this was the last night of the season, ho thought it would not be rial n pvopos on his part to say a few words. He was gratified beyond expression at the reception he had met with in Wellington. During the season it had bean his good fortune to play to large, courteous, and intellectual audiences, who had invariably treated him with the utmost kindness. For this he begged most heartily to thank them, and he also wished to express his acknowledgments to the representatives of the Press, for the able manner in which they had criticised the performances. For the first time in his experience he had been recommended by one paper to act on Hamlet’s advice to the players. He had always acted upon that most wholesome advice, and intended to do so to the end of his professional career. That night’s performances brought the season to a close, but he hoped soon to have the honor of appearing again in Wellington. (Loud cheers.) Therefore he would not say adieu, but an revoir. His sojourn in Wellington, it was true, had been short, but in the language of the immortal Shakspere, “If I say little, I coma again.” (Mr. Rignold retired behind the scenes amidst enthusiastic cheers.) The company sails for Lyttelton this afternoon. They will perform for two or three weeks in Christchurch, and proceed thence to Dunedin.