"LITTLE MONTE CHRISTO," AT THE PRINCESS THEATRE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9338, 1 February 1892, Page 3

"LITTLE MONTE CHRISTO," AT THE PRINCESS THEATRE.

Hiss Amy Vaughan has every reason to bo gratified with the support that the public of Duuoilin have accorded during the past w«3k to her Burlesque Pantomime Company. On Saturday night, when a change of i>rogramme was made, the burlesque of "Little Monte Christo" being produced, there was a large audience at the Princess Theatre. The pit and stalls were especially well patronised, the former being filled to overflowing. The programme announced that " Little Monte Christo" was by Mr S. F. TravorsVale, but those present who have had the advantage of witnessing the performances of the London Gaiety Company were able to detect more than one point of resemblance between the burlesque produced by Miss Vaughan's company and one of the pieces in the repertoire of Miss Nollio Farren, Mr Fred Leslie, and their talented colleagues. The play is a travesty upon Dumas' well-known novel, but its literary quality is so poor as to be a severe handicap on the efforts of the performers. On tho other hand, while the music is bright and attractive, though it cannot be called new —reminiscences of Gilbert and Sullivan and of "Boccaccio" being awakened by some of it—the vocal powers of the company are unfortunately not of an order capable of rendering full justice to it. Under tho circumstances the burlesque dragged at times; and if Miss Vaughan will accept the suggestion, sho would improve it greatly by increasing the number of dances in it. The principal honours of the production were carried off by Miss Vaughan, Miss Travers, and Mr Charles White. Miss Vaughan possesses nearly all the qualifications of a burlesque actress, for she is arch, vivacious, and graceful, with a neat figure and with considerable ability as a damcxisc. Miss Travers is distinctly the best vocalist in the company ; but the competition, as already indicated, is not keen, and her singing invariably meets with an appreciative reception. Mr White has most of the "fat" in "Little Monte Christo," and he made good use of his opportunities. Mr Harry Cowan created a good deal of amusement in a female impersonation, but the other performers call for no remark, except it be to mention that little May Mogridge obtained an enthusiastic encore—the only one of the evening—for her rendering of the song "Open your mouth and shut your eyes." The scenic effects, which were prepared by Mr Neville Thornton, evoked many compliments from tho audience. The performance was concluded with the harlequinade, in which Misses Vaughan and Thornton, Messrs Rinkle, White, and Cowan sustained the various characters. A few changes which had the effect of somewhat improving this part of the programme were noticeable. A clever contortion act by Miss Daisy Thornton and some capital tumbling by Mr Rinkle were new features'which were deservedly applauded.—ln the afternoon a matinee performance of the burlesque "Little Bill" was held, at which there was a large attendance of children, each of whom was presented with a gift. ■ The same programme will be presented this evening.