THEATRE ROYAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 12912, 1 March 1906, Page 7

THEATRE ROYAL.

■\." .-r-r —«»rr- -r ' ■' "LA FLLLE DE MADAME ANGOT." i Th^ru/Operatic Society cannot feel otherwise than satisfied with their first performance of Lecocq's comic opera "Le Rile de Madame Angot." They played to a crowded house, put the performance through! in a highly creditable, manner, and satisfied everybody." The .opera was familiar to many, but' they must, .have been pleased with, the effective staging and-the results of the careful and efficient work done in connection with this production:/ The costuming of the characters was excellent; and the fine coloring which this Society has previously shown its" tase for, again in evidence, made a gorgeous ■display. There was an additional point in advantage I of the setting in the efficient stage-manage-ment, as carried out by Mr Moore, wba evidently had a single eye to the pictorial arrangements of his -units. The "waltz scene," in which practically the whole company took part, was the most effective; •! and accompanied by an especially fine orchestral part, was most pleasing. The bright music of the opera was well pro- - duced. The choruses were well balanced, and of good tone, and the orchestra did its part welly, though, in one ; or two cases the time ; irt ; whiqb ;the accompaniments had to be taken to accommodate the singers was too much -fpy? r their parts' excellently, and while;, their freshness to the stage was a drawback, this was more, .than, counteracted by the vivacity and earnestness which the amateur possesses in afar greater degree than most professionals. An: incomplete understanding of the requirements -was proTjably tie cause of the most;noticeable' fault of some of the principalse-their ; ; verv : -unsatisfactory enunciation, both in speaking and •'• singings *^ tra sk,: fcbi B fault was not general Miss M. Hole played with distinct success as Mademoiselle Lange, actress and. beauty. She sang particularly well, acted vivaciously, and looked: charming; and more, than any of the others, let the audience hear her words ,well. She was fortunate in having a beautifully dressed, part Miss C. McGuinness,;, ; " La, Fille," appeared first in handsome bridal/ garb. She shared withMiss Holc3" great, part ef the principal work, and;, teamed Ker* share of the/ opera : through in- fine jstvle./ /Clairette pursued a stormy patht^f.-jiltrngs^andvptfaeT' troubles without exaggeration, and'arrived safelyat a final betrotbaJ.T-Mrßayliond Edwards pTayedF the part of Larivandiere, who was supposed to be a conspirator, but whose chief characteristics to be a sudden temper, and a pair of- was uriabl'e to control. He:"had/a good deal-of singing i to do,„.and.iised. a_good baritone voice very well. J Pomponnet (Mr Alf. Boys), a mere barber, was one of the most prominent characters. He, jilted, deceived, imprisoned, had a hard .row.to hoe, but came out well in the end. His singing was distinctlv good, and he had a most tuneful solo. " She is so innocent," which he rendered tastefully and well. . Mr B. B. de Looze took the wart of Arige Pito-u, a part with revolutionary ideas politically and an erotic tendency. H e sang well; "his first-number and his part. in. the "letter dnefc" being particulnjy good. Mr C. Healev hod a thoroughly contrenisl j>art as Lou'chard.' a most untidy puWic officer whose sole dutv was to be amusing and to- invent witticisms ae ha weot Mii«'' : 6r2cam

held a small .part as Hersilie, and appeared therein to advantage; and Miss Ongley madie tie most of the bits of dialogue allotted to Aramanthe, Minor parts were allotted to Misses E. Graham, and It. Glover, as Javotte and Celeste; Mr D. Smith gave a remarkable exhibition of dancing; Mr W." Jordan carried out his small part in a perfectly natural manner; and Messrs E. Budd and A. Sutherland had each a few lines. The audience -was heartily pleased with all the. principals, and accorded libsral applause to Mademoiselle Lange and Clairette. Two very attractive items were some incidental dances, arranged by Miss Rita Glover—the first a skirt dance by herself, and the second a quartette of dancers—Misses Graham (2), Hilton and gave a very pretty performance.; Full credit must be given to Mr A. D. Munro, who trained the singers in their parts and conducted the performance and managed the stage, business. The Marine Band kindly played through the streets to the theatre, and outside prior to the performance. The opera is to be produced again to-night, and another bioaudience is assured. The box plan at Mil° ner and Thompson's was almost filled yesterday, and a number of tickets for reserved stalls ihad also been sold. Those who do not reserve seats will do well to be ready to go in early.