THS MIKADO.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6315, 13 August 1888, Page 4

THS MIKADO.

9 On Saturday evening the last of the four performances of "The Mikado," for the benefit of the Magdala Home, was given in the Theatre Eoyal. In spite of the moat untow_rd weather conceivable — for fche rain all day had been sufficiently heavy to raise fears of a flood — the Theatre was full, both upstairs and down, the latter more especially, for there Btanding room was difficult to obtain. In the dress circle only about half a dozen seats were left unfilled, and altogether the attendance was most satisfactory. The Company had moat thoroughly worked into the right groove, and went through their work with the same precision and accuracy thafc had characterised all fcheir previous performances. In one or two instances, the enthusiastic and repeated encoring on the parfc of the audience caused little hitohes, but these were only palpable to people who knew fche details of the piece most intimately. The audience were most enthusiastic in their expressions of appreciation, and bouquets were the order of the night ; nofc only were the principals treated to floral recognition, bufc the whole of fche chorus were honoured with nosegays fchafc came down npon fche stage in a plentiful shower. Afc the end of the first act Mr Evans came before the curtain, and, after thanking the audience for the large patronage that had been extended to the performance, announced fchafc a handsome cheque would be available for fche Magdala Home, in aid of which fche performances had been given/ The management, in response to many requests, and urged by the remarkably favourable reception the company had received at the hands of fche public, and the immense attendances they had been honoured with, had decided to play three nights more. Monday and Tuesday's financial results would be devoted to a fund to aid in forming the nucleus of an Operatic Society in Christchnreh, and on Wednesday the performance would be for the benefit of Mr Arthur Towsey, tho able conductor of the opera. Before closing this notice, it is but just to Bay fchafc all the principals went through fcheir work well, and fully deserved the plaudits thoy received, but special notice bas to be taken of the excellence of Miss Reeve's portrayal of tbe difficult character pf Katisha. The lady's performance on Saturday night was a marked improvement on any of her previous efforts, an improvement fchafc her audience was nob Blow fco note and fco enthusiastically acknowledge.