THE YEOMEN OF THE GUARD.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8401, 15 February 1894, Page 2

THE YEOMEN OF THE GUARD.

This opera, one of Gilbert and Sullivan's later productions, falls far short of its predecessors both in construction and composition, as tbo plot is hackneyed to the last degree, and in places an unblushing copy of other better known works. Tho marriage of Colonel Fairfax in prison to the gip3y girl is almost a fac utmle of that of Don C;jsar De Bazan and Maritana in Wallace's tuneful opera, and many other incidents iv " The Yeomen of the Guard " are old a 8 the hills. Tho music iB as poor as tho story, and falls very far Bhort of that composed by Sir Arthur Sullivan for Pinafore, Pirates of Penzance, or Putioneo, there being hardly a tunoful number in the whole opera, which would certainly noror havo brought its author and composer either famo or fortune had they staged it as their initial attempt to cater for the music loving portion of tho British public. It may therefore be imagined that in selecting " Tho I'eomen of the Guard " for production the Marton Operatic Society started off with a heavy handicap, which to Borne extent was lightened by the opportunities the opera affords for artistic stage grouping and the picturesque coatu>ning of the dramatis persona. Iv these particulars the Society scored a big success, as Dr Bkerman's stage management is evidently far above the ordinary level of amateur theatricals, the groupings, etc., being arranged in a manner which bore testimony to tbe Doctor's knowledgo of stage management and the asßiduoua practices and rehearsals of the performora, who wore quite at homo on the Btago and went through their different groupings without a hitch. The overture was somewhat marred by a want of nerve or practice, or perhaps both, on the pirt of some of the instrumentalists. Later on as they wanned up to their work and gained confidence they did better, but there was still room for a lot of improvement in many cases. Of the vocal portion of the opera the chief part of work was allotted to Mies Brandon, whose singing and dancing aa the singing girl, Eleie Maynard, were distinctly good, alboit the lady was evidently suffering from indisposition, and not at her best. Hearty applause and iloral offerings were freely be stowed on her throughout tho evening. The other ladies had Bmall parts which they got through fairly well ; Mrs Fitzherbert as Ph«be- Meryl, the sergeant's daughter, displaying considerable histrionic ability at times, gaining -well-merited applauso end bouquets. Mr Fitzherbert, as Colonel Fairfax, sang well, but was too stilted and lifeless in his acting, which wanted a little more spirit to make it a sucgoss. As old Sergt. Meryl, Mr Bishop scored a wellearned success, as his delineation of the bluff old Yeoman of the Guard was evidently the result of intelligent and assiduous study. One of the hardost characters to pourtray on the stage is always allowed to bo a jester of the Touohstone type, of which the late William Hoskiaa gave Wan-" ganm playgosrs such a quaintly dolicious representation a few years back. As Jack Point, a wearer of the cap and belle, Dr Skerman scored the moat points during the evening, as he gave a finished representation of the character which, like so many of Gilbert's, does not possess the merit of originality. As the utterer of quips and cranks, caustic witticisms and subtle jests, Dr Skerman displayed great talent, the whole pourtrayal being evidently the result of arduous study, much practioe, and a thorough appreciation and knowledge of the requirements of the character to make it a success. That it was such, the frequent vociferous applause and bouquets bore ample testimony, Mr Bayne, as the jailor and assistant tormentor, Wilfred Shadbolt, was grotesquely made up on the pattern bo- frequently described in the old " penny dreadfuls " and Koynold's Miscellany. His acting at times wag very good, and showed that a little more study and practice would iuiprovo the impersonation greatly. Of tho other characters little need be said, further than that Mr Little, as Sir Beginald Oholmondley, and Mr Wilson, as Leonard Meryl acquittod themselves with credit, tha former especially. The choruses were worthy of much praise, tbe performers being both numerous and well up in their parts. The costumes -were very handsome and picturosque, and are, wo understand, mostly the handiwork of members of the Society, who are to be congratulated on their good taste in this matter. Our visitors mußthave been 'highly pleased at the bumper house which greeted them, and the genorous applauso bestowed upon the different performers. The Company returned to Marton last night by a special train which, brought them api a number of tb,eir fiends tq