PRINCESS THEATRE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1851, 17 August 1893, Page 37

PRINCESS THEATRE.

"THE LITTLE DUKE."

The Liliputian Opera Company appeared at the Princess Theatre on Tuesday night in Lecocq's bright opera " The Little Duke," which gained the favour of the public in a, high degree when produced some years ago by the original company of juvenile performers by whom the colony was visited. The representation given on the present occasion was one of very considerable merit, and was received with marked demonstrations of satisfaction by an audience in which were to be recognised— and this is to be noted as indicative of the very favourable impression created by the company on the minds of theatre-goers — many faces that have been observed in the theatre night after night during the season. The honours of the performance fairly rested with Miss Marion Mitchell, who acted vivaciously and sang charmingly in the character of Fabrice. The part is an arduous one, but Miss Mitchell, whose winning method has secured for her an enviable degree of popularity, responded skilfully to the demands made upon her, with the result that her impersonation was remarkably successful. Her singing of "We're not too young to marry" secured for hor an encore, and a similar compliment was paid to her for the solo in the second act, " That was love," the grotesque dance incidental to this affording much amusement, and no doubt contributing in a measure to the recall. Miss Mitchell's singing was also chiefly accountable for the encore which was elicited by the duet, " I love thee," capitally rendered by her in conjunction with Miss Lily Stephens, who made an attractive Blanche de Cambray. Miss Maud Beatty appeared to advantage as Captain de Montaland, and Miss Nellie Wilson's impersonation of Captain do Merignac was notewotthy because of her very effective rendering of the solo "The camp fires red are gleaming bright," of which a repetition was promptly insisted upon. Master Alf Stephens's humorous powers enabled him to do full justice to the part of Fricnousse; and Master H. Quea'y was genuinely funny as the dunce schoolgirl, though his make-up was in questionable taste. Miss Flo. Russell was well placed as the schoolmistress ; and Misses May Mowbray, N. Foord, Violet Russell, May Beatty, and L. Schomberg also were included in the cast. The chorus acquitted themselves capitally, and the orchestra performed most satisfactorily.