THE NEW OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8554, 7 December 1888, Page 5

THE NEW OPERA HOUSE.

“THE MIKADO.” The now Opera House was formally opened last night by the Wellington Amateur Operatic Society with Gilbert and Snllivan’s opera, “The Mikado.” The popularity of the Society alone was sufficient to draw a very large audience, and the new theatre was well filled in every part. Very gay it looked, too, though perhaps a trifle less brilliant than it used to before the fire. The changes, however, were not so great as to be especially noticeable, and they are amply compensated for by the many improvements from a utilitarian point of view. At 8 o’clock the curtain was lifted and disclosed the drop scene, a Venetian sketch painted by Mr .Edmunds, who was at once called before the enrtain to bow his acknowledgments. Mr Ghatfield, the architect, and Mr Ranson, the contractor, were similarly honored. The Mayor (Mr S. Brown) then came before the footlights, and briefly addressed the audience. He had been requested, be said, by the Amateur Operatic Society to say a few words before the performance began. The audience would all agree with him, 1 he thought, that this theatre was as superior to the last as the last was to the first. What constituted its superiority was the ample provision that had been made for the public safety in case of fire. He had examined the building thoroughly and he could safely say that if a panic oc. ourred there could be no such thing as stairs being broken down, and everything was fire-proof. Another import, ant improvement was that the walls bad all been fitted up ready for the electric light, which would be found not only a great comfort, but also a provision for public safety—so much so that the use of the light was compulsory in the theatres in many cities in Europe. He thought they would all agree with him that the theatre was one Wellington should be proud of, and the shareholders in the Opera House Company, the architect who planned the theatre, and the builder, were all to be congratulated on tbe result of their labours. Of the Society he need say nothing ; the large audience before him was sufficient proof of the high estimation in which it was held. He was sure the Society deserved well, because their services were always at the disposal of any good and charitable cause. In conclusion, he believed he only expressed the feeling of, everyone present when he wished every success to the Wellington Opera House and the Wellington Amateur Operatic Society. As his Worship concluded, three cheers were given for the company. Of the performance itself there is nothing to be said except in praise. The Amateur Operatic Society have, during their brief existence, achieved a reputation for staging their pieces artistically and playing them well, and this reputation was not only upheld but added to by last night's perform-

ance. It is something for .an amateur society to attempt such an opera as “The Mikado,” which is in itself formidable enough, altogether apart from the fact that it has already been played here by a professional company. The latter circumstance, however, only served to show up the superiority of the amateur performance in one respect, for the stage dressing last night was very much more complete and artistic than it was when Messrs Williamson, Garner, and Musgrove’s company played ‘ * The Mikado ” here. The two scenes, the courtyard of Koko’s residence, and the garden (painted expressly by Mr Edmunds) reflect the greatest credit on the artist’s ability ; and no prettier setting could be imagined than was formed by the tasteful, though peculiar costumes of the chorus singers, backed up by tbe garden scene—a garden extending away into a beautiful lake quite too romantic for reality. In addition, the per'ormers acquitted themselves admirably, with hardly any exceptions. Miss Parkes, as Yum Yum, improved greatly upon her S'erpolette in “Les Cloches de Corneville,” and acted with charming vivacity and grace. Her singing was excellent, and her performance as a whole of that even consistent character seldom found among amateurs. Her principal solo, “The moon and I,” was sung very well indeed, and was deservedly encored. • The other two “Little maids from school” found able exponents in Mias Staples (Pitti Sing) and Miss K. Frankel (Peep Bo), both o’ whom are to be complimented upon their success. Miss Young’s Katisha was undoubtedly the best acted character in the piece. The part is not an easy one to play, but Miss Young was quite equal to it, and exhibited considerable dramatic power. Her solo, “ The hour of gladness,” was sung with great expression, and for the duet with Koko, “ There’s music in the bellow of the blast," both she and Mr Lyon well de. served the encore that was given them. Mr Lyon himself is to be congratulated ou his Koko. His conception of the part was different to that of the gentleman who played it here before, and we are ; not sure that the difference was not in Mr Lyon’s favour. He acted with a good deal of freedom, and did full justice to his songs, the best of which, in the opinion of the audience, was the touching “Tit willow.” Mainly through his instrumentality the quintet, “ The flowers that bloom in tbe spring,” was redemanded. Mr E. T. Sayers played many parts, and did equal justice to the Chief Justice, tbe Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the solioitor to the Lord High Executioner. His quaint solemnity was as amusing as it was proper under the circumstances, and Pooh Bah was one of the successes of the piece. Mr W. A. Ramsey (Pish Tush) deserves credit as well for playing his own part well as for singing excellently, and Mr R. H. Fisher’s Mikado was well acted and well sung, Mr Munt made a good Nanki Poo, although his voice is rather light, even for such a part as this. The choruses had apparently been trained thoroughly in singing as well as in the ordinary stage work, and the groupings were faultless. Indeed, the. stage management was simply remarkable all through, and showed how much the society are indebted to Mr Lyon, than whom, apparently, no better stage manager could be found. The orchestra, under Mr Hautrie West, are also deserving of praise. As a whole, the performance was an entire success, and extremely creditable to the ■Society. Apart from the usual popularity of. amateur-theatrical euternriaes, we predict a very good season indeed lor “ The Mikado.”