DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume V, Issue 43, 25 October 1890, Page 11

DUNEDIN.

Dear Bee, October 16. The Dunedin Pinafore Operatic Company have had a first-rate season. They opened in ‘ The Queen of Leon ’ and ‘ Pickwick ’ to a splendid house, every seat in the circle being occupied, and a good house downstairs in addition. The music is very pretty, one song, ‘ She Sleeps,’ notably so. This falls to the lot of Mr Harry Smith, and is just in his style. There is no chorus in the opera, which is in one act, the four personages, the Queen of Leon, Donna Agnes, the Regent, and Phillipe D’Aquilar, being taken by Mrs Murphy (soprano), Mrs Angus (contralto), Mr W. Densem and Mr Harry Smith being the two gentlemen. Mr Densem, as the Regent, has full scope for his dramatic abilities, and as a love-sick old man in his dotage creates much merriment, besides pleasing with his beautiful voice. He is the first to come upon the stage, and looks very well in a costume of crimson and white—white silk tights and pumps of crimson velvet, a white silk vest embroidered with gold, and a crimson velvet coat richly bordered with ermine, the hanging sleeves lined with pale blue silk. A gold anil ermine coronet completed the attire. Mrs Angus, as Donna Anna, looked as well as I have ever seen her look upon the stage, taking her part excellently, and looking very nice in a handsome gown of blue. The chief part of the gown was of pale blue brocade, opening at the sides over a navy blue petticoat, and a long train of the brocade. The bodice was made with puffed sleeves, with the dark velvet let in, and cuffs of the same ; the neck was low cut, the vest of the dark velvet. As the Queen of Leon, Mrs Murphy looked charming in pale primrose (the spring colour), the pettieoat of quilted satin, the bodice, hip draperies and train of satin, spotted with diagonal squares of velvet. The sleeves were puffed at the shoulders, with smaller puffs at the elbows, and round her neck the lady wore strings of yellow pearls, and a girdle of them at the waist. Gold bands on her hair and a handsome yellow ostrich feather fan completed the attire. Mr Smith, as Phillipe, wore, when he appeared with Mrs Muiphy, long tan leather riding boots, green pumps, ami doublet of plush embroidered with gold, a long white cloak, black hat, and white ostrich plumes. There had been new scenery painted for the occasion by Mr Nevill Thornton, and the palace gardens (the only scene) looked remarkably pretty. The singing throughout was very good, and the audience highly appreciative.

* Pickwick ' followed, a comic opera, also in one act. It is of course taken from the 1 Pickwick Papers,’ and had a very successful season in London, but this was its first representation in New Zealand. Mr Densem was the dear old gentleman of fiction, with black silk stockings, buckled

shoes, ami the whole of the costume everyone knows so well. Mrs Angus was Mrs Bardell, who is not sup|s>sed to lie midrile aged ami fat as the story gives her, but very comely ami charming. Mrs Angus looked all that the part demanded, in pink print, with kerchief, apron, ami white lace cap. There is an innovation, too, in the form of a baker, who is also in love with the captivating' widow, but Mrs Bardell is keeping him in a wretched state of uncertainty until she has quite made up her mind that Mr Pickwick dries not mean anything. The baker is taken by Mr I inliers, who both sings and acts his part in first rate style. His get up, too, is capital. He first appears with a white coat, hat, ami apron, ami a long trill. When he presents himself as a would-be bridegroom he is gaudy as the pen of Dickens woulrl describe a Cockney bridegroom to be, with plaid trousers, gorgeous vest, a white frilled shirt, big white tie, anti a huge bouquet, to say nothing of his coat of blue. He appears just as Mrs Bardell has thrown herself into Mr Pickwick’s arms, and is so disgusted with the lady’s trifling that he goes away ami gets another britle, so that Mrs Bartlell illustrates the proverb, ‘Between two stools we come to the ground.’ Tommy is very well taken by Master Montgommery, who is dressed as the ‘ Pickwick ’ papers describe him. The boy has a very clear, sweet voice. The houses were very good during the season, particularly so on the last night, when not a seat was to be got after a certain time.

‘ The Rose of Auvergne ’ was produced, and proved to be a sparkling little opera full of tuneful melodies, and as funny as possible. The Rose of Auvergne is taken by Mrs Murphy, ami suits her splendidly, as it is full of life ami movement. After dinner there iis some first rate singing, and Mr Harry Smith, in his blacksmith’s apron, sings, ‘ The Merry Blacksmith,’ a song composed by Mr I'mbers. It is splendid, as you will say when you hear it : it goes with a swing ami spirit that carries one along with it, and will, if I mistake not, become very popular. The words and the air are Mr I’mbers’; the harmony was arranged by Mr Vallance. There is a delightful refrain where the anvil and small hammers are used. Mr Smith sang it in his very best style, ami it brought down the house. Ruby.