AMUSEMENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9222, 29 April 1908, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

c THEATRE ROYAL. "BLUEBELL IN FAIRYLAND." Very tew comic operas can be successfully revived twice within nine montns, but the excellent attendance at the Theatre Royal last evening, and' the interest that the audience found in the play, were more than sufficient to juecny tlie production of " .bluebell in Fairyland." The performance was made tlie more interesting by the fact that the cast of characters had been extensively altered since the last visit of jau.l* Tom Pollard's Juvenile Opera Company to Christchurch. As- Blib, Master Bert JNicnolson was as precocious as in the previous performances, and his comedy work throughout would have done credit to a veteran. Master JNormau Mudlord, though at timefi rather stilted,- made a very good Blob, and, with Master Nicholson, ne divided the honours in the topical' duet, "Oh, of Course!" which was repeatedly encored. Miss Minnie Topping has improved as Bluebell, and she made the character a pretty, one. ln the absence of Miss Lily Thompson, through illness, Miss Nellie I. 'inlay appeared as Dicky, and her interpretation of the part was excellent in every way. The part is oilly a small one, but Miss Fin- : Lay infused muoh of the street-urchin colour into her portrayal, and made it stand in relief by sheer merit. Mr Charles Albert and Mr Ernest Schatz aa Will and Wont, and Mr B, Williamson as Mr Joplin, were entirely satisfactory. Peter the Cat, as played by Miss Edie Boulter, was very humorous, and Master George Edwards, as Policeman IC, made the most of his limited opportunities. Miss Cissie O'Keefe sang " The Bull Frog and the Coon," a characteristic number, very successfully, and was enthusiastically received. The little Aldous Sisters were associated in a number of pretty songs and dances, and in addition they appeared as Mab and Winnie, Bluebell's two little eisters. Miss Dora Rcdgers danced gracefully in the opening scenes of the second act, and Miss May Topping made a pretty Fairy Queen. The stage mountings were effective and the scenery very good. The ballets that occur at intervals during the play were gracefully given, and the chorus, which has gained in volume, was always bright and vigorous. The stage management, witn one exception, was thorough, and the orchestra, under the baton of Mr A. Brahms, materially assisted the success of the play.