JUVENILE OPERA,

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9195, 15 August 1891, Page 3

JUVENILE OPERA,

"THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE." There was a splendid house—the best of tbe season—at the Princess Theatre last night, when the third new bill was presented by Mr J. C. Williamson's Juvenile Opera Company, Gilbert and Sullivan's popular work " The Pirates of Peni&nce " being produced-. The company have again to be congratulated upon their production which was only prevented from being a complete success by circumstances which were not altogether within the control of the management) such as the fact that one of the principals was suffering from such a severe cold as to interfere very materially with her singing of the music allotted to the character represented by her. There was occasionally, too, a certain lack of animation shown in the course of the productioD, but it is very probable that this was due to the performers not having assured themselves of their footing in the piece, last night's being, we believe, their first public appearance in it, a hitch ov two is generally overlooked on a first night in the case of adult companies and there is all the more reason why, in the case of juvenile performers, the initial production of a piece should not be too closely criticised. There were many very bright features about the representation of the opera, not the least gratifying being the success achieved by Miss L. Everett as Mabel. The mueio of the part is more than moderately difficult and would severely tax the powers of some artistes of considerable ability and experience, but this young lady, greatly surpassing her tfferts in either ofthe previous productions of the company, fairly overcame the difficulties that she had to meet. She scored indeed what may be called an instantaneous success, and her first song, "Poor wanderiDg one," the trills in which where admirably executed, evoked a double encore. She was heard to even greater advantage in her solo in the second act, " Ob, Leave me not to pine alone," which she rendered with grace and feeling, well deserving the emphatic encore tbat the number received. Miss F. Russell acted efficiently as Ruth, aud sang her song," When Frederick was a little lad," with good effect. Master Alf. Stephens whose proved abilities secured for him a particularly hearty reception, had not in the part of Major-general StaDley the same scope for the display of his powers as in I the two other operas that have been produced during the f eaion, but there were some capital touches 01 humour abaut his impersonation, and tbe patter song was Bung in excellent Btyle, eliciting an imperative encore, but the lovely song," Softly sighing to the river," with its effective rippling accompaniment, was not sufficiently suited either to his method or to his voice to be equally successful. Miss E. Ziegler, who was cast as Frederick, is the principal performer who hts been mentioned as suffering from a severe cold. It was noticeable in " La Mascotte" that this young lady was troubled with a cold, and unfortunately the weather of New Zealand has not been favourable to her recovery, her complaint having, in fact, become worse instead of better. Under the circumstances she was physically unable to do full justice to the music falling to her lot, bat she battled very pluckily with her difficulties, and tho audience expressed their sympathy with her and appreciation of her pluck by warmly applauding her singing of Frederick's appeal to the " bevy of beßutiful maidens." Had she been in unreasonable voice, Miss Ziegler would probably have made a decided hit in the part, for her acting waß good, and her delivery of her lines in the dialogue clear and intelligent. Master H. Qaealy made good use of his opportunities as the Sergeant of Police, and the song, "When a felon's not engaged " and the " Tarantara " chorus were both encored. The same performer was veiy amusing in the first act as Samuel, which part was filled in the second act by Miss B. Mackay. The Pirate King was represented by a performer who made his first appearance.with the company and whose name was set down on the programme as W, Percy. Thiß was evidently a juvenile of an elder growth, who sings well and correctly, but without much fire, and who has a lofty disregard for the aspirate letter. The Bong " For I am the Pitate King,' suffered from being sung in a somewhat liftless manner, but the king's share of the " Paradox" trio, which, strange to say, was almost unapplauded, was well rendered. Misses L. Stephens, A. Gildale, and W. Wilson sustained the parts of Mabel's three leading sisters—parts of quite minor importance. The audience broke in upon a chorus to give little Miss Stephens a reception, and it was a great disappointment to them that she had not more to do. She was warmly applauded for the song " Let us gaily trip the measure," and also for " Rula Britannia," which Bhe sang at the termination of the opera, when a beautiful tableau was presented. Tbe chorus did their work well, the maidens' choruses being distinctly better than the pirates', which were not always steady. Tho policemen introduced some capital " business," and a perfect roar of laughter was caused by the mixed sizes of the force—the peDullimata member of the rank being the most diminutive boy in the company, and coming to tbo elbow of his neighbour. The opera was mounted in splendid style, and the excellence of the scenery obtained due recognition at the ' handa of the house. j The very successful season of the company in Dunedin will be brought to a close to-night, 'when "The Pirates of Penzance" will be repeated,