PRINCESS THEATRE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2209, 2 July 1896, Page 39

PRINCESS THEATRE.

ROYAL COMIC OPERA COMPANY.

The Royal Comic Opera Company brought their Dunedin season to a close on the night of the 24th with a second representation of "The Mikado." The production of this opera was again exceedingly successful, and the representation was throughout received with enthusiastic mavks of favour. Mr Vernon, in his noteworthy performance of the part of Ko Ko, was ably supported by Misses Young, Wray, and Oobb, Messrs Lissant, Bathurst. and the other members of, the company. The performance of "The Mikado" was' followed by an additional attraction in th,e shape of favourite selections from the company's repertoire by members who were not included in the cast of the opera. , Miss May Pollard, whom we have not seen in New Zealand in her most ambitious efforts, gave the audience some idea of her capabilities as a balUd singer by an excellent rendering of Juncker's popular song " I was dreaming," which was emphatically redemanded, the second verse being then repeated. Mr H. ll racy has made his invisible presence felt during the season* in the admirable staging of the company's productions, and his visible appearance last night was bailed wtth cordial applause. The renewal of the acquaintance of the public with his artistic rendering of Marco's song "Take a pair of sparkling eyes" iv "The Gondoliers" afforded them great pleasure, and an encore was insisted upon. When Mr Bracy was singing the feeling of regret that his duties as stage manager do not allow of his being alpo cast in the company's pieces must have been general. Miss Hetty Hoi' royd is" the latest acquisition to the rank 3of the campany, which she joined recently in Sydney, and though she was suffering from a cold that once or twice was responsible for a catch in her throat, and that evidently affected her confidence in herself, she sang Hope Temple's " When we meet " so expressively that she was recalled, but she declined an encore. Miss Marietta N' ash's admirable rendering of the smartly-written call boy's song in " In Town" gave unalloyed satisfaction, and first the song and th'eu the eccentric daucf, with which it was supplemented, was redemanded. Mr Laurie's sketch, "Some do it this way," also from "Ia Town," with the clever pantomimic business which he introduces, gained a treble encore, tho audience being obviously reluctant to part from this popular artist. The Pierrot dance from "A Gaiety Girl," by Misses •May Hillas, Lena Cassellis, and Minnie Hooper, daintily given and imperatively redemanded, concluded a splendid prograttms and an enjoyable season. Tho company left by the Flora on Lyttelton on Thursday afternoon, and commenced their Christchurch season before a crowded house on Friday night.