THEATRE ROYAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4543, 14 January 1893, Page 4

THEATRE ROYAL.

FAUST. The Montague-Turner Opera Company achieved another musical success at the Theatre Royal laat night, when ' it pro* duced Gounod's emotional and romantio opera Faust The work was performed moat oonaoientiously, as 'may be inferred from the fact that the curtain did not fall upon the last aot till after eleven o'clock. Mies Annis Montague gave a delightful' representation of the impressionable Marguerite, singing and acting with a thorough appreciation of the several passions which the unhappy girl gives way to. Where simplicity waa the motive, she was artleßSness itself j where the maiden's -vanity was touohed, she -displayed its effects with wonderful brilliancy; where profound love overmastered her, she abandoned heraelf to its impulses j where grief was to be shown, her pathos was most moving; and where repentance and contrition were to be expressed, nothing was leftundonewhichcouldgive their expression to the utmost. It will be very long before a better exponent of the character than Miss Annis Montague will be found. Mr Charles Turner was Faust. He gave a masterly interpretation of the character, and hiß execution of the music was, for excellence, on a par with, his acting. Miss E. A. Lambert showed a just conception of the role of Siebel, and sang with her. accustomed success. The "flower Bong" Bhe was reluotantly compelled to repeat, though encores were very properly not acceded to,in view of the great length of the opera. Miss Maud Litta was on the programme as the name of the lady who represented Martha. The representation was a decidedly good one, as to both acting and singing. Mr Fred England scored a great sucobbs in thepartof.Mephistopheles, his best effort being the serenade, in the fourth act, to which he imparted, the requisite irony and oynioism. Mr Frank Scents, as Valentine, more than confirmed the good impression he had made on Thursday night. The small part of Wagner waa entrusted to Mr Percy, who showed himself to be equal to even greater responsibility. The chorus was fairly good, and the orchestra was again thoroughly efficient. It gives every assistance to the vocalists, hut does not prevent the voices being heard; and this, when the voices are of the quality of those now to be heard at the Theatre Royal, is something worth notice. To-night the Company produces The Bohemian Girl, another always aeoptable opera. . '■'