PRINCESS THEATRE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2400, 1 March 1900, Page 51

PRINCESS THEATRE.

" THE BELLE OF NEW YORK."

The " mer^y nrusical comedy " The Belle of New. York,", which enjoyed-* veix successful

run here some months ago, was revived at the Princess Theatre on Thursday evening by Pollard's Comic Opera Company, the popular company which introduced it to the colony, and has uniformly gained credit and increased popularity by its production. So much in the comedy is bright and amusing, even "catching," the final test of success as an entertainmen, and so many people saw it when it was first produced in the Princess Theatre last September, that little need be said in the way of introducing it again to the attention of the amusement-loving public. It is, as is the case with all the new comic operas, a medley of characters, with the merest thread of plot or story, but destined to prove diverting through every scene. The music is bright and taking — nothing could really excuse the absence of good music, — but the music in " The Belle of New York " certainly needs no suggestion of an apology, it commands appreciation. As already suggested, the comic element predominates. The fun indeed is rapid pnd persistent, and the satire incisive, though no one will suppose that it is of general application, or is directed against any sincerely wellmeaning people. If that were possible the opera, amusing as it is, would not meet with such approbation, though no one objects to the keenest of satire being directed against those who would make a pretence which is fairly satirised by the phrase, " Of course you can never be like us, but be as like us as you are able to be." The scenic effects and costumes are remarkably good. No expense has been spared in staging the piece and ihe cast, which is nearly identical with the former one, could not be improved upon. There was a capital house. Nearly all the dress circle seats were engaged during the day, and circle stalls and pit were full when the curtain rose. The performance left nothing to be desired. Mr Albert Whelan, who came to the colony expressly to fill the part, took the leading role, and though no one can deny that Ichabod Branson is a grotesqvie character, it is probably all the better on that acctfunt. It is certainly original and exceedingly droll and entertaining. Some of the songs are given by him in a monotonous-speaking voice that makes them irresistibly funny, lending to them something of the charm which Artemus "Ward's hesitating drawl gave to his lectures. He sang the solo "Clouds came o'er his brow" with much success, being called back some five or six times, and giving other verses, until at last he inquired " Have you people no homes to go to ? " a remark which produced much merriment. The solo and chorus "Of course you can't be like us," was a most successful item, but right -throughout Mr Whelan was most entertaining, and the manner in which he was greeted upon his entrance showed that he was remembered with pleasure, and that his ability was recognised. Miss May Beatty represented Violet Gray, the Belle of New York, and also looked the part as well as played it admirably. She was quaint and demure as the Salvation lassie, and her song, '" I find it very difficult to make young men religious," was, in its way, as good as her subsequent singing and acting, when she plays a very different part. The audience were neither slow nor ungenerous in the way they recognised the ability displayed by Miss Beatty. Another pretty part, very gracefully and skilfully played, was that of Fifi Fricot, a young Parisienne, impersonated by Miss G-erfcie Campion, who also sang well, and was especially successful in one of the prettiest selections in the opera, the duet with Mr Carter, " When we are married," being loudly applauded, and its repetition insisted upon. Mr Carter, as young Bronson, was good, both in singing and acting. Mr Quealy never fails to be amusing, and did make a great deal of fun out of a ptit that few men could have handled as well. He also sang a patriotic solo very well indeed, and kept things very lively as a most redoubtable boxer, whenever he was visible. Mr W. S. Percy, as the polite lunatic, Pampemick, had more to do, and did it with equal success. Mr Fitts had a good comedy part, though not a long one, and he managed it most creditably. Messrs Stephens and Nable were most amusing as the Portuguese twins, and Messrs Young and G-leesoii had small parta that they made the most of. Mr Dave Connor, as a sailor, sang a patriotic solo, the subject of which was the Union Jack and the Stars and Stripes. The song was well given and well received, and the blending of the flags was the signal for applause which expressed the sentiments of the audience. Miss itarkeek was a very effective music hall star dancer, Miss Nellie Wilson was a goocj queen of comic opera, and the graceful and picturesque dancing during the evening by the members of the company was a leading feature of the entertainment.