PRINCESS'S THEATRE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 4990, 15 February 1883, Page 2

PRINCESS'S THEATRE.

This house of amusement, which has been closed for some time* was re-opened last night to a crowded down-stairs house and a fair circle, by MessrS Stanley and; Darbyshire's Juvenile Opera Company, who made their appearance in ■ Gilbert and Sullivan's popular opera of Pinafore- The novelty of a coaipany of youngsters making their appearance after the successful jseas »ns they have experienced in Australia an-i New Zealand, was in itself a great attraction, and not only was the piece produced in a superior style, but in effect it was found more entertaining tbau iv the hands. of the senior companies, and the by-play from start to finish was not wan'in" in embracing opportunities for exciting the risibility of the audience, Master W . lniscolt aa Diok Deadcye, and Master C. Faveogir as the Boatswain being a continual source of amusement. ' The curtain rose on a fine piece of aceaery representing the quar« ter-deck of H.M.S. Pinafore, with a view of Portsmouth in the distance. The opening recitation of Little Buttercup was very well rendered by Miss Annie Childs, and met with a meritorious round of applause,andthe various numbers which fell . to her lot were effectively sung. Ralph Rackstraw was one of the best played characters of the whole.; represented by Mi« Amy Hodge, and although taken by a girl its accurate per* f ormance was a matter for admiration. The ballads were sweetly sung, and the acting of the character was quite equal* to the vagaries of the love-sick tar. Captain Corcoran was played by Master E. Osmond, who acquitted himself very creditably, although his acting seemed perhaps, at times, a little tame. His singing of the song " Fair moon to the© I sing " in the opening of the, .second act, as also his duet with. Buttercup were loudly applauded. A pretty piece of playing was thai of Miss Flora Graupner, as Josephine. This little lady sang with much sweetness and expression, and again and again she drew forth plaudits of the audience' by her charming representation of a difficult part. Especially appreciative was her rendition of the ballad, "Sorry her lot who love* too well," the duet with Ralph "Refrain, audacious tar," the song "The hours creep on apace," and " Oh joy, oh rapture Unforeseen." Nothing could have excelled the anting of Miss Dally Innman, as Sir Joseph Poterr, K.C.B., whose airs x»f importance she exhibited in a splendid manner, and whose utterances were given in that deliberate measure which brings out the. full effect of the character. "I am the monarch of the sea," produced much merriment at his hands,' and the dignified spirit in which he addressed the Captaia and crew of the " Pinafore " was remarkable for its expression. The hornpipe I by Miss Inman was a fine piece of execution, and was loudly encored. We must not omit mention of the great fan caused by the utterances of Mils Queeny Hodge, the lilliputian of the troupe as Hebe. "The midshipraite" was sung by Master T. 'Fits* Gerald, as the Boatswain's Mater at the beginning of the second act, and' was well received, as was also the sorift "The KDglishman," by Master P. Lane as the Sergeant of Marines. The part of the Big Aunt was amusingly taken by Mr Darby* shire. The performance was* pronounced success in point of scenery, mechanical effect* and acting. A good many interpolations were introduced, and while they detracted nothing from the value of the iext, they proved for the most part to add to the popularity of the production. " The ensembles, choruses, and dances were well acted, the " sisters his cousins and bis aunts " business taking especially welL The performance will be repeated to-night for the last timk and those who have, not seen the children play will not regret taking advantage of this opportunity of. seeing the wonderful perfection to which children can be trained in | the production of an opera such as '* Pinafore,' so well-known as it now is to all theatre-goers. The mental and. moral train* ing of the children is not neglected by the entrepreneurs of this interesting company, and daily they have their regular course of scholastic duties, under the training of two competent teachers. The question may be asked, what is to become of theae children in the future ? We ' unhesitatingly say that there is a good future in store for them, for in what better way could they be employed than in training for a profession which yet bids fair to exercise the most exalting influence on the mind of man. It is for th« most part only by an efficient training from • childhood that the profession of the stage can be elevated, for what is more ennobling to the mind than the sweet strains of musio in a first-clan open, or what more tends to improve society than the exposure of its weaknesses on the public stage. Instead of running about the street*, unknown cr nncared for, as some of them might be, these children are being trained to fill an important part in the future, and to do credit to the profession they represent.

The Apollo Rooms, in Taranaki Street, were the scene of a rather novel contest on Saturday evening — namely, a waltzing competition. The entries comprised. * 4o*en couples, each of whom, was allowed to occupy the floor for five minutes, and the waltzing took place within two circular chalk marks. After each couple had been allowed to exhibit their proficiency, the three who were considered to have acquitted themselves with most credit contested for the prizes, and, at the cad of twenty minutes, the judges (Messrs Pattdn, Capper, Zesoh, and Donpvojo) declared that Mr, De* vine and Miss Mitchell were entitled to. the honours ; The prizes consisted of ft vN&V cup and a silver locket and chain. ; There was a very large attendance of the goner*! public, and, at the termination 6f the competition, a number of dances were indulged in, Mr Trowell's band supplying the music* —Post.