CARY'S JUVENILE OPERA COMPANY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 3962, 9 February 1882, Page 2

CARY'S JUVENILE OPERA COMPANY.

THE PIRATES OF PEXZAXOE. Tnr.ui. \\i»s ii tn>\\ik'<l Ihmm.' I.iM i'\ening to witness the opening performance of Oary's Juvenile Opera Company at Courtney's Hall. The piece played was Gilbert .md Sullivan's opera of, ,Thq Pirates of Penzance. Tt was woll drehsed and admirably put upon the stage. Mr. Gary had paid particular attention to the situations and grouping, and tho effect wms remarkable, indeed sometimes the scene was quite a fairy picture. Tho youthful performers, one and all, were highly amusing, and appeared to take unbounded delight in the representation of their respective parts. The sinking was excellent, some of the choruses being enthusiastically applauded. The acting was very natural, and entirely free from constraint ; the archness of some of the little folks beina; highly amusing. The opening chorus, " Pour, oil pour the Pirate Sherry," was given with accuracy and vivacity, and was a favourable augury of the musical abilities of the company. Ruth's song followed, and it was well received. The scene enacted between Ruth and Frederick, where he questions her respecting her beaut)', was forcibly pourtraved, and these young artistes were fairly entitled to the applauso which they received. The audience was not sloa' to discern and reward by unqualified marks of favour the various parts of the opera in which the performers excelled. The role of tfre Pirate King was assumed by Master Willie Cary — a diminutive youngster gifted with a very keen perception of the ridiculous, and whose little conceits are very captivating. His voice is not powerful, and some of the music in his part is rather heavy, but he, altogether, acquitted himself very creditably indeed. Master Williams, in the character of Frederick, an apprentice to the pirates, had the most arduous part of all to perform. He has a pleasing voice of unusual clearness and cultivation. In all his recitative pieces he accurately interpreted the music, and infused a great deal of expression into the words. He rendered the pathetic song, •' Dreaming the bright hours away" with telling effect, and was rewarded by an encore. The several duets between Ruth and Frederick were very effectively given, and elicited the admiration of the audience. Miss Lena Robinson, in the character of Mabel, sang very sweetly, and was becomingly attired. The solo, ''Poor wanderm" one," was given by her with such delicacy and expression that she quite took the audience by surprise. She gives fair promise of developing into an artiste of very hisrh attainments. Referring generally to the fair young daughters of MajorGeneral Stanley, who composed the picnic party, we must compliment the management on. the careful training which must have been bestowed upon these attractive little creatures before they could have attained the complete self-possession on the stage which they showed last evening. Tliev wove appropriately ■ and neatly attired, and were, without - exception, of interesting manners. t The policemen' wore also worthy of notice, as they exhibited a wonderful amount of capacity for their "profession," the "Sergeant" and "Little Baby Robinson" attracting a great deal of attention. The latter caused no small amount of merriment by the amusing manner he strutted about on the stage, not altogether unconscious of his importance as a policeman. The performance passed off very successfully, although there is no doubt the insufficiency of stage accommodation was a great disadvantage. The orchestra is a thoroughly efficient one, and performed some new and favorite selections during the evening in a spirited manner, to the evident enjoyment of the audience. The opera of the " Pirates of Penzance " will be repeated this evening, and wo can confidently recommend it to the" public aa a most enjoyable one.