ALBERT LUCAS COMPANY AT THE PRINCESS THEATRE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2147, 18 April 1895, Page 37

ALBERT LUCAS COMPANY AT THE PRINCESS THEATRE.

The bill presented at the Princess Theatre on Saturday night by the Albert Lucas Company was a mo3t attractive on?. It comprised a scene from "The Hunchback," and Sydney Grundy's farcical comedy "Tho Snowball." In "The Huachback" scena the part of Modus was ta';cn by Mr A. E Greenaway, and that of Helen by Miss Lilla Wilde. The characters were sustained with such success that not one of the audience but could have wished that a little more of the charming comedy waß enacted. Miss Lilla "Wilde quite excelled herself, and her impersonation of the character was deservedly rewarded with a most emphatic round of applause, while Mr Green away's study of Modus was thoroughly artistic. A good m<uiy years have elapsed since the production of Sydney Grimdy's comedy in Dunedin. It was fir3t produced in the Haymarket Theatre, London, and the reception accorded it by London playgoer 3 was distinctly favourable. It is written in a happy, clever stylo characteristic of the noted playwright,' and is brimful of fun. The plot is based on an attempt made by a young and unsophisticated husband to perpetrate a joke on his •Vife, but the latter and her friends becoming aware of hia intention, turn the tables upon him by writing a letter in which it is made to appear that he has a "leaning " towards the servant girl. Incident begets incident, and, just as the snowball gathers and increases as it moves, the situations become more and more complicated as the piece progresses, until at last matters are brought to a climax and then everything is seen in it 3 true light. Mr Albert Lucas, as the inexperienc d husband, gave abundant proof that he is quite at home in light comedy parts. Mi3S Lilla Wilde made a charmiDgly vivacious young wife, the restraints of whose niatried state did not prevent her from indulging in fun at the expense of her husband. Mr A. E. Greenaway vi as seen to much advantage as Harry Prenderga3t, and Mr Miltou Mo=s as Uncle John looked and acted the part with much credit. Misses Atleigh and Ina Lawrence both succeeded in rendering adequate assistance towards the successful production of the comedy, while Mr Manville acquitted himself satisfactory in his impersonation of a miuor character. That the performance was heartily enjoyed it is hardly necessary to add, the frequent bursts of laughter affording any amount of proof in that direction. The stage appointments were on a lavish scale, while the orchestra rendered some excellent music during the evening.

TIVOLI SPECIALTY COMPANY AT THE CITY HALL.

The Tivoli Specialty Company commenced their season in occupation of the City Hall under the most favourable circumstances on Saturday night, the building being simply packed from floor to ceiling. One of the performers — Mr Morton Prior — was unable to sing owing to the f *ct that he was suffering from a severe cold, and the management made this intimation in tbe programmes. It was a curious circumstance that the performer who found least favour with the audience on Saturday night was the one most was expected from, this being La Spaua, hilled as an English and Italian^ prima donna and solo violiniste. Her first contribution was a violin solo— the arrangement by Vieuxtempa of "Yankee Doodle"— and a violin solo was " caviare to the general" when there were comic Eong3 and dances to follow. The fact tiat a hitch occurred owing to a misunderstanding between the instrumentalist and her accompanist did not tend to make her task any the lighter. However, though she had much to embarrass her, the showed hei'3elf to be an accomplished violiniste with a bold, vigorous style, but her solo was listened to with impatience. Nevertheless she received an encore and, returning, played an arrangement of " Kobin Adair." If her treatment from the audience was ungenerous during her instrumental solo it was scandalous later on during her vocal solo, which was "At my window." The more unruly portion of the audience, who at this time seemed disposed to take the control of the entertainment into

their own hands, apparently forgot that the performer waß a stranger and a woman, and was as such entitled to courteous treatment fnm them, for they bahaved with mo3t disgraceful rudeness, and their unmanly yelling reduced La Kpaua's solo to something like a pantomimic item. With remirkable courage she re-aypsared to accept an encore, which the sympathetic applause of the moro in a nly portion of the audienco Becured for her, and slie san;* a further solo, but in the yelling and shouting of tho gods it wnsiinpo»sible to hear so much as would enable oue to identify it. Besidts posseting a powerful and flexible voice Miss Millicont Mow bray is a nimble and graceful dancer and altogether a useful member of the company. Miss Kmma Markhapi is also a neat damcuise, and, though her voicya ii somewhat thin, gained the R..0l giace! of tho audience with her songs and dancos. Mr Frank May is a capable comodian whose forte evidently lies in Irish impersonations. Mr Harry Baxtor possesses a serviceable and agreeable voice and a capital method. He straightway established himsolf a warm favourite with the house, and hia singing of coster songs deservedly gai'ied the approbation of his hearers. Mr Harold White is an effective ballad vocalist. The yeifoirnancea of Messrs Kin?sley and Kerr ou the bicycle formed an attractive feature of the programme. Mr Charles Hugo is al?o a member of the company, Mr Alf. Ingleson ia the -scenic artist, and tho orchestra is conducted by Mr Waud and led by Mr Parker.