H.M.S. Pinafore.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume II, Issue 160, 11 June 1894, Page 3

H.M.S. Pinafore.

Performance by the Choral and Orchestral Society. .Toe much-talked of and long-looked-fjrward to performance of Gilbert and Stollivan's comic opera, “H.M.S. Pinafore,” by the member* of the Pahiatua Choral and Orchestral Society eventuated on Friday evening last. The interest manifested in the production was fully demonstrated by the fact that a week before the date fixed every one of the reserved scats had been taken ami although ■everal more rows were added these, too, had all been booked before Friday evening. People began to tile into the hall shortly before seven o'clock and before another half-hour had elapsed every seat was occupied, standing room was at a premium, and an improvised gallery over the front entrance porch was crowded with a very hilarous body ef spectators. At the half-hour it was found impossible to stow away another visitor and very reluctantly the management had the doors closed, •hutting out a very large number of would be patrons. The performance fully justified the high expectation and amply recompensed the visitors for any inconvenience they may have suffered through the crush. From the moment of the orchestra's opening note to the final fall of the curtain the piece went as smoothly and easily as though the Company had been playing it nightly for weeks. There was little or no jerkiness or straining after effect. In places the dialogue was somewhat weak and rather inaudible, but where that was the only defect he would be a captious and exacting critic indeed who dealt strongly on that point. The scenery and mountings were remarkably complete and considerably surprised the audience, who were unprepared for the alteration in the stage, which had been widened and deepened specially for the representation. The central figure of course was Josephine, whose character found a clever and popular exponent in Miss F. Holloway-Page, who, in coming from Palmerston to assist, placed the Society under a deep obligation. Although lacking the advantage of rehearsal Miss Page had evidently made a careful studs

of the part; therefore, with her magnificent voice, »t is not to be wondered at that she scored a complete triumph. In the duet with Ralph, ** Refrain, audacious tar,” she was, perhaps, heard to the most advantage, and an imperative encore was the result. The success was repeated ant! emphasised in the scena “ The hours creep on a pace,” and the trio “ Never mind the why and wherefore,’’ each of which elicited an encore and a shower of floral tributes. Throughout, her representation wasfndeed a very tine one the only fault the most exacting could find being, perhaps, an insufficiency of passionate response in the passages with Ralph. Little Buttercup'' iot could not have fallen iuto better hands than those of Mis.-, Ilall, who sang splendidly, acted perfectly naturally and gracefully, and delivered her dialogue with emphasis and spirit. The a.ia, “ I m called little Buttercup," was excellently given. Her duet with the Captain *• Things are seldom what they seem ” was one of the treats of thu evening and evoked an enthusiastic encore and a shower of bouquets. “ A many years ago ” was also an excellent number, which

brought forth prolonged applause. Miss J. Falconer fitted the character of “Hebe” to a nicety and gave an entirely satisfactory representation. The part was prettily and gracefully dressed and the by-play was excellent. Of the male characters Ralph Rnckstraw, as the central f. u , takes pre edence. All H. E. Mowaudacious tar and performed if most ; meritoriously. His acting and dialogue I were good and his singing excellent. With , Josephine he shared the encore for their j duets aud participated iu a recall with the ; boatswain and his mate. To our mind he ! was most successful in the octette ** Fare- i welt my own,” which, though short, was excellently given. Mr A. Luca* was ! handicapped through a severe cold, hut nevertheless he made a success of his in- I terpretation of the part of Sir Joseph j Forter and sang and acted spiritedly. > “ When I was a lad ” was well given and j deserved the applause it evoked. With ; Josephine and the Captain he participated in the encore for the trio, and also in the 1

recall for the duet with (’apt. Corcoran. Mr W. Bray v#as quite »t homo in the role of (Japt. Corcoran, a part which he had evidently studied carefully, and with | good result. He was iu fine voice and had ; to respond to several encores, notably in the duets with Buttercup and with Dick | Deadeyo, the latter being remarkably j fine. A trifling stiffness with Josephine was apparent, bill beyond that the part was extremely well taken. As Dick Dead | eye Mr < . Morris scored the greatest hit of the evening aud gave a display of j histrionic a.id vocal ability worthy of the . highest praise. His acting was faultless, j his singing of a high order, and his enun- i ciation in the dialogue perfect. It is no | hyperbole to say that he played the part j as few professionals could have done, j Time and again ho was vociferously en j cored for his clever by play, which snowed I no sign of stagines* or effort. In the j scene and duet with Captain Corcoran he was especially good and secured a double i encore ; and in the trio ** A British Tar” his acting was responsible for a recall, j Mr Morris thoroughly deserved the con j gratul&Uon* he received. Mr J. Devon shire made a very good boatswain, spokr distinctly, and did all he had to do extremely well. The same may be said of Mi Keighley as the Boatswain’s mate. ' both of whom with lta<-kstraw secured an I • or iKm trio. lastei V d u mUi taking little inidshipmite, and looked his part to a nicsty. The First Lord’s cousins were a charming bevy of damsels, whose appearance quite justified the night. l and* M. Yule* and Godfrey!

Messrs Falconer, f'oop«r t llottomley and j Lucena were the members of the gallant I crew and Messrs Turnbull and Cross ; were the marines. Mias L. Falconer offinatad as pianiste with her accustomed ability, and had the assiitancu of an efficient orchestra comprising the ' following: First violins, Miss (lowing, Mr B v . Messrs Davison sad Jewett. ; ' a , M M rlej sonu I, Mi Hold i euphonium, Mr A very ; drums, Mr Dash. 1 The curtain dropped on the final seem, j amidst unbounded cnthlisisHiu, which | lasted until tho curtain had been twice ! lifted. Mr Kcauey, stage manager, was ; called for, and made a happy speech in . the course of which he, on behalf of the ! Society, returned thanks to Messrs Sul j It van « ud Starkey and others for assistance I Messrs Bogle (business manager;, Robin I •on <musical director). Keaney (stag#- | manager;, Harrison header of orchestra), and R. (J. Hard- n (secretary), for tin 1 manner in which they planned and carried out the anangeiuenU in connection with ! tho performance. Other officials deserving j of credit are Messrs Cooper (property master;, and Keighley (scenic artist), j The thanks of the Society are nUn due to | ami other aeeessoi its. locuuelc those who were muthh> to 1

obtain admittance on Friday evening, to witness the performance the opera will be repeated on Wednesday evening next. Already a number of reserved seats have been engaged.