"H,M.S. PINAFORE."

Colonist, Volume XLVII, Issue 11432, 11 September 1905, Page 3

"H, M.S. PINAFORE."

c Lnst evening the Oddfellow's Hal 9 was packed to the doors, when C*il y bert and Sullivan's comic open c "H.M.S. Pinafore" was staged, d Long befre 8 o'clcK there was not ■t standing room, and boxes anc bicycles were used outside to enabU those who could not gain admissior • to see through the windows. Noi were the crowd that assembled disap pointed judging by the continuec applause that greeted each item o: the performance. The performance c far exceeded anything hitherto at it tempted here. The staging was ex cellent, special scenery having bsei — painted to represent the quarter deck of a man-of-war by Mr Wan stall, and every credit is due to hrn trs for the manner in which it was done ur The dresses and all details were ii ie- keeping with the play. The choru Be ge? were sung with the briskness tha <*, make Uibert and Sullivan's opera :s so charming, and the catchy musi iU and comic situations were evidenl; th _ much enjoyed. . ed The characters were well sustaroe

throughout. Mi3s Sadd made a charming "Josephine, "and her solos ; were a treat, and sang with wonderj ful clearness. She was especially successful in her solo "The Hours Creep on Apace," and received a well-merited encore, and was also the recipient of a handsome bouquet. Miss G. Morgan, as "Buttercup," scored a decided success, her singing and acting being very good. Her solo "I'm Called Little Buttercup" was very enjoyable, and her duett with the Captain, "Things are Seldom what they Seem" was another success, and received a well-merited encore, as did her solo in the second act "When I was Young and Charming," her acting throughout being splendid, and she was also the recipient of floral tributes. The part of "Hebe", though small, was very ably filled by Mrs Orford, who acted , and sang very well, and with "Sir Joseph Porter," scored a success in the duett "So do his Sisters and his Cousins and his Aunts." Mrs Orford also receivd a handsome bou--1 quet. Mr Wilmot, as "Sir Joseph i Porter," was all that could be desired, and he acted up to his part splendidly. He scored an immense • success in his first solo, "When I was a Lad," for which he was re- : called, and the trio "Never Mind the Why and Wherefore," by Sir : Joseph, Captain Corcoran and Jose- ! phine, was one of the most enjoyable items of the evening, and was twice 1 encored. Mr O'Connor, as "Ralph, " was good. He sang very well, and i his duett with Josephine, "Farei well My Own," was heartily applauded. He was very successful in [ bis solo and chorus, "The Nightin- [ gale Sang to the Moon's Bright . Rays.' As "Captain Corcoran," Mr Buckeridge had a part that suited him admirably, and he thorou - a deserved the success he scor." _ x \ s j solo in the second part." rMoon, to Thee I Sing," wa very good, 3 though perhaps his most successful 5 item was with the chorus "I am the I Captain of the Pinafore," and his duett with "Deadeye," while his ; other items were all well received. ; As "Dick Deadeye," Mr Wanstall 3 surpassed himself, and it is doubtful j if a professionl could have carried j out the part better. His get up and t actions were splendid. He never once forgot what he represented. His duett with the Captain "Kind Capj tain, I've Important Information," was a great success, and his acting throughout wae freqeuently applauded. Master Jones, of Nelson, I danced a hornpipe during the performance, which received a well j merited encore. Mr W. May took , the small part of " Boatswain" very £ well, and his solo, "He's an Eng--3 lishman," made a wish for more. He acted his part well throughout. 1 The choruses went from start to finish with a fine swing, the open--1 ing chorus "We Sail the Ocean Blue," and the last one, "He is an B Enlishman," being especially bright . and had to be repeated. One of the 1 most effective choruses was "Softly on Tip-toe Stealing," while the chorus "It was the Cat" was splen--1 did. * The orchestra, under the baton of Mr Webb, asssisted in no small degree towards the success of the piece. The performance throughout was 1 a decided success, and the promoters are to be congratulated on the results of their efforts. Every credit is due to Mrs May, who got up the entertainment, for the manner in which the piece wae staged. Owing to the success attained last night, the piece will be repeated on Tuesday next, Septemher 12th, in aid of the Oddfelows, when the price of admission will be one shilling. A few seats being reserved at two shillings, if necessary. We might mention the hall was lighted last evening by Mr Jonue with his patent incandecsent burners on kerosene lamps, and the effect was splendid. I September 8, 1905.