THE WELLINGTON AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 3409, 16 April 1898, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE WELLINGTON AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY.

AN ANTICIPATION. On the 7th of June the Wellington Amateur Operatic Society will stage for a season of seven nights, Messrs Stephenson’s and Cellier’a charming comic opera “Dorothy,” and though the work has been performed in other parts of the colony by amateurs this will be the first time it has been seen outside professional companies in Wellington. The casting committe, which consists of Messrs Maughan Barnett (conductor), A. Levi (stage manager) and W. D. Lyon, have announced the following cast of characters

Dorothy Bantam, Miss Sheen; Lydia (her friend) Miss Hinemoa Bradshaw; Phyllis (Tuppitt’s daughter). Miss Lawless; Mrs Privett, Miss Jessie Newton; Lady Betty, Miss M. Cook; Geoffrey Wilder, Mr B. J. Hill; Harry Sherwood, Mr Fred. Twiss ; Squire Bantam, Mr William Parsons; Tuppitt (an innkeeper), Mr N. Bell; Tom Strutt (Phyllis’ lover), Mr Harcus Plimmer.

In choosing this cast the committee have made it purely an amateur one, which is a pleasing fact, as in most “ amateur ” performances nowadays the principals generally receive remuneration more or less. Regarding these chosen to represent the different characters, the majority have never appeared in opera before, though heard to advantage upon the concert platform. Miss Sheen, the prima donna, if we mistake not, played Serpolette in an amateur performance of “Los Cloches de Corneville ” at Napier, and is well known as

the gold-medallist of the soprano singing contest at the recent Exhibition here. She has also been seen in operatic Sketches in concerts arranged by Madame Cope. Miss Eose (Hinemoa) Bradshaw, the T.ydia of the caste, is a native of Port Chalmers, bat for the last two years has been resident at Petone. If her acting is on a par with her singing and general appearance Mies Bradshaw should make a hit, as her part in the opera is quite as good as Dorothy, but that the singing demands a mezzo-soprano range. The part of Phyllis has been allotted to Miss Lawless, who will make her first appearance behind "that funny little row of lights." Phyllis is a sweet little part, and her solo in the last act is one of the gems of the opera. Miss Lawless has had some experience in church music and her appearance in opera is anxiously looked for. Lady Betty is a small part and has been judiciously awarded to Miss M. Cook, who is an enthusiast in amateur theatricals. Miss Newton may be confidently looked to for an irresistibly humorous Mrs Privett. Turning to the male characters wo find our old friend, Mr B. J. Hill, in the tenor part, Geoffrey Wilder, and, judging by his past efforts, Mr Hill should give great pleasure, his voice suiting the music admirably and bis want of stature is fully made up for the life he infuses into his acting. Mr Fred. Twiss, a pupil of Mr J. W. Hill, will make his first appearance in opera as Harry Sherwood, whose solo in the second act, “ Queen of My Heart,” is almost as well known as the National Anthem. Mr Twiss has a fine free style of singing, and his powerful voice has a pleasant ring in it which should, vocally at auy rate, ensure the success of the part. Mr William Parsons is cast for Squire Bantam, and if he succeeds as well in it as he did in the character part of Old Adam, in “Euddigore,” all will bo well. Mr Parsons is a member of the talented Parsons family and possesses a sympathetic light baritone voice. ' Tuppitt,Phyllis’ father, is to be played by Mr N. Bell, who is a very old member of the Society and should be heard to advantage in the concerted music, which, vocally, is associated with the part. Both as regards voice and appearance, Mr Bell has everything in his favour. Mr H. Plimmer makes his first appearance as Tom Strutt, Phyllis’ lover, and should fill the requirements of the part satisfactorily. Last but not least, the screaming low comedy part of Lurcher, the bailiff’s man, will be represented by Mr W. D. Lyon. The casting of this part has created a good deal of comment, but we fancy it is only from the fact that we have seen Mr Wm. Elton and Mr George Lauri (both extremely short men with a funny personality) in the part, but there is no reason to suppose that Lurcher should be such a man. We predict that Mr Lyon will make a big hit in the part, which is as “fat” as the most exacting comedian could desire. He has an abnormal sense of humour, a fair voice and an excellent knowledge of stage craft. Verhum sap. Notable features in the opera will ba the minuet, country dance and the huntsmen’s chorus, which latter has never yet failed to elicit an encore. The sopranos need a little bolstering up, otherwise the chorus will be one of the best the society has had in any production, and thanks to the energetic conductor, Mr Maughan Barnett, are making rapid strides with their work. The “ business ” of the opera is to be commenced at the rehearsal next Monday night, when the stage manager. Mr Alf. Levi, will be “about to begin to commence ” to wear a worried look, as stage managers are wont to do.