The Lorcnette

Observer, Volume XV, Issue 814, 4 August 1894, Page 9

The Lorcnette

By Prompter,

' God Bless you Tommy Atkins, I a Bumper Drink to You !' So sings Mr Arnold as ' Captain Fritz ' in that dulcet voice of his, and in this song he scores the biggest hit of the performance. ' Tommy Atkins ' is one of those catchy, music-hally lyrics which haunt the memory for days after you hear it, and you find yourself continually god-blessing Tommy Atkins and drinking, in imagination, a bumper to that redcoated hero. But is ' Captain Fritz ' a better thing than ' Charley's Aunt ?" Well, it's all a matter of taste ; as for instituting a comparison between the two pieces why it can't be done. The plot of ' Captain Fritz ' is as chin as a wafer. It is just a s .xies of pegs on which are hung a number of more or less taking songs. 'My Pipe and I,' ' The Cracksman's Chant,' and ' Tommy Atkins ' would make the fortune of any piece. The piece is, in fact, strongly melodramatic.

The dramatis pei:*onw comprise several old friends. There is the wicked uncle who has designs on the child-heir to untold wealth and ancestral halls, a good old crusted villain who plays second to the wicked uncle, gypsies, a comic housemaid, an elderly but rather volatile housekeeper, a gallant capting (Fritz), an old English squire in the typical low-crowned hat and the square-cut red hunting coat nearly always worn by stage squires, and ' Tommy Atkins ' in the person of ' Corporal Soyer,' with two or three pretty girls thrown in as a make-weight. The story turns upon the designs of the bold bad uncle on bis pretty little nephew, which designs, although they promise to be most successful for a time, are frustrated (in the last act) by Captain Fritz, and virtue triumphs, vice is defeated. Mr Arnold has a congenial part in Captain Fritz, which was specially written for him. It is even better than his ' Hans the Boatman.' Fritz is the same kind of bright, cheery, genial character we have all admired in l Hans.'

The songs are all delightful. Mr Arnold was never heard to better advantage than in such gems as ' My Pipe and I,' 'The Cracksman's Chant," and 'Tommy Atkins.' For the latter he was encored four times on Tuesday night, and the audience were not half satisfied even then. One of the most charming ' bits ' in the performance is the scene in 'the haunted chamber,' in which the tiny ' Sir Geoffrey Vereker, Bart.' comes in in his little nightdress with the idea of playing ghost in order to frighten the gallant Fritz. But Fritz refuses to be frightened, and, to make up to the child for the disappointment, the kindly Captain sings him a song ' Fairy Bubbles.' While the little Baronet blows the bubbles the singer deftly catches them and sends them spinning about the room. On the hearth is the crimson glow of firelight, through the window pours a silvery flood of moonlight. No prettier picture was ever staged.

Mrs Walter Hill has but a small part as the elderly housekeeper, Priscilla Gedge, but plays it delightfully. Miss Ada Lee as Dinah Wurzel, makes a capital comic ' slavey ' and the wicked uncle, Colonel Vereker. is admirably played by Mr E. W. Thomas. Mr A. E. Matthews shines as the eccentric Dr. Earle, Mr Harry Hill as Squire Studholme looks like a typical John Bull and contrives to make a good deal out of a small part. Corporal Soyer is well taken by Mr Percy Brough. The little baronet is very prettily played by Miss Jessie Meade, a tiny girl, but a most accomplished little actress. The minor parts are all well filled. The staging is excellent, the music tuneful as it can be, and the whole performance throughout bright and exhilarating. To-night (Thursday) there will be another change of bill. ' Hans the Boatman ' will be revived, for two nights only. On Saturday and Monday, the two concluding nights of the season, Mr Thornton will appear in his unrivalled impersonation of theTßev. Spalding in that funniest of all farcical comedies, ' The Private Secretary.'

' A brilliant success ' may be written of the opening concert of the Sapio-Urso ComSany at City Hall on Tuesday night, ladame De Vere Sapio has truly an exquisite voice, such a voice, in fact, as we

very very seldom have "an opportunity of listening to in Auckland. It is a magnificent soprano, rich and full and sweet, and -of extraordinary range. She achieved a triumph in her very first contribution to the most attractive programme — David's aria from ' The Pearl of Brazil.' The ap--plause which greeted this gem was loucLand long and most enthusiastic. * * *. In the quaint and sweet old Scotch song, ' Mary of Argyle,' which she sang as an encore, she was equally successful, and score.d heavily yet again in ' Flowers ' and ' Spring,' the two songs written for her by Signor Sapio, and ' No, Sir ' sung with irresistible archness. The effect of her rendition of Gounod's delightful Senerade was enhanced by the exquisite violin obligato by Madame TJrso. This was the last item on the programme and yet it very narrowly escaped an encore. As it was the applause was deafening. And it takes something out of the ordinary run to ' fetch ' an Auckland audience at the finish of a concert. Everyone usually manifests a frantic desire to get away and go home. It was not so on this occasion. George Leitch (no bad judge) speaks in the most enthusiastic terms of the singing of Madame de Vere Sapio. She has indeed, a glorious voice, which everyone should find the time to go and hear. Madame Camilla Urso is wellknown in Auckland, where she made a name for herself years ago. Her finished performance on Tuesday evening proved that her hand has not lost its cunning, that she is, in fact, a greater artiste than ever. In ' The Witches' Dance ' and Ernst's 'Elegie' she fairly excelled herself. Madame TJrso is without doubt one of the most accomplished violinists we have ever had in Anckland. Her technique is superb, her bowing perfect. She throws her soul into her playing. Hence her wonderful popularity, and the power she exerts over an audience. Signor Sapio and Herr I Benno Scherek rendered valuable assistance. Both of them are pianists of exceptional ability. Signor Sapio's ' Gavotte Pompadour' received an enthusiastic encore. The Sapio-Urso season here will only be a very brief one.

It must have been, very gratifying to the members of the Orchestral Union, on the occasion of their second concert of the season, which took place on Thursday last in the City Hall, to see such a large and appreciative audience assembled notwithstanding the inclement weather, and the, many other counter attractions. Both Orchestral andLiedertafel Societies, have every reason to congratulate themselves on the excellence and variety of the programme — almost every item being a musical gem, and having besides the added charm of novelty to an Auckland audience. Perhaps the most successful items were : Andante Con Moto 'Italian Symphony,' Mendelssohn, executed with great smoothness and breadth of expression, and the Intermezzo ' Forget-me-Not,' from Macbeth, a charmingly sweet and graceful number reminding one at times of one of the dainty suites from Cowan's beautiful ' Language of Flowers.' It was a truly enticing number, and should become a popular and lasting favourite ; then came the soul-stirring waltz, 'Immortellen,' dedicated to the memory of Johann Strauss by Gung'l. The introduction takes the form of a grand funeral march, and the full stately chords give place to the beautiful strains of a most brilliant waltz, in which the immortal waltz composer's happiest mood is frequently recognised. This was a splendid piece of orchestration, and well deserved the unanimous encore it received. The remaining numbers were equally meritorious and well performed, Mr Towsey frequently having to bow his acknowledgments, and he was also the recipient of numerous floral offerings. The most successful efforts of the Liedertafel were, perhaps, ' The Young Musician ' (Kucken), ' A Franklyn's Dogge ' (Mackenzie), (words from the Ingoldsby Legends), and the beautiful encore number, (which was, perhaps, the best,) given with perfect harmony and depth of expression. We heartily felicitate the societies and their able conductor on their great success.

The Hellers will shortly open in Auckland for a brief season. They have done splendid business in the South. One of the most attractive features of the' show is the clairvoyancy of Madame Heller, who while in a trance-like state replies to questions written on slips of paper, which slips of paper are hidden by the questioners about their persons. While in Melbourne, Madame Heller clairvoyantly ' tipped ' three out of four Melbourne Cup winners. We intend to get her views about the next Cup when she comes along. Montague-Turner Opera Co. opened at Wellington on Monday. The only rival to the show is 'the loud-speaking phonograph.' — Phil. Newbury, 'the greatest tenor that ever visited the Southern Hemisphere,' (Phil's own words) is at Dunedin, with the missus, otherwise Emily Spada. Kennedy-Deering Company at City Hall, Dunedin. ' Million prices.' — The St. John Pantomime Co. appearing at Chriatchurch with Beaumont, 'the man fish.' — Nothing on at Napier, bar poultry show. Dollars Best Value on Earth, 3d.