AMUSEMENTS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume X, Issue 11, 18 March 1893, Page 254

AMUSEMENTS.

The Lilipntian entertainers, who continue to attract Aucklanders to the Opera House, deserve the thanks of both old and young for the excellent pantomime they produced. It is only to be regretted that they have not been able in ‘ The Gondoliers ’ to sustain the reputation they acquired in ‘ Aladdin,’ but it is not to be wondered at.

Pantomime and opera are not so nearly related that a successful performer in one is successful in both. Given plenty of gorgeous dresses and scenery, grotesque masks, broad fun, and coloured fire, pantomime will live and flourish ; but opera requires something more and something different for its maintenance. For success in opera singers are a sine qua non, for success in pantomime singers can be almost dispensed with. The weak point, on the whole, in • The Gondoliers,’ as produced by the Pollard Company, was the singing. A good deal of the acting on the part of the ladies would have admitted of improvement, as was to be expected with such young performers, but the acting would have passed muster if the singing had been better. Of course this remark is not meant to be applied to all the ladies, or to all the songs they sung, tor some of the latter were very creditably rendered, and received plenty of applause. In the case of the leading gentlemen, the amount of fun and expression they imported into their impersonations went a long way to atone for their musical faults. Apart from the singing there is a freshness and juvenile grace in the performances ot the youngsters that makes the entertainment really very pleasant to witness.

Madame Bahnson gave just one concert in Wellington, and I regret to say this was not nearly as well attended as it should have been. The Theatre Royal, where it took place, was orily fairly filled, but the concert was really first class, Madame Bahnson’s singing, of course, being the feature of the evening. She contributed * The Sea Hath its Pearls’ (Clutsam), ‘Softly Sighs’ and ‘Ave Maria,* the accompaniment to the last named being beautifully played by Mr Hill (violin), Miss Williams (organ), and Miss Medrey (piano), and being considered the gem of the evening. Madame Bahnson also repeated her wonderful performance of the ‘ Carnival de Venice,’ which shows to the fullest extent the capabilities of the songstress. Madame Bahnson was not only encored for her artistic singing, but was further complimented by receiving several bouquets. Miss Fisher sang for the last time before her departure, and chose ‘ Beantv’s Eyes,’ the violin obligato being played by Mr Alfred Hill. Miss Medley’s pianoforte solo was very brilliantly performed and was encored. Mr Prouse was in capital voice and gave ‘ Thou Art Passing Hence ’ and ‘Thy Foe’ splendidly, the latter being given by special request. Mr Alfied Hill played a couple of little gems on his violin, and was accompanied by Mrs Qneree, lately of Auckland. Mr Hugh Reeves, of Christchurch, was encored for both his songs ‘Lucia,’ and ‘ O Jolly Jenkins,’ the latter from ‘ Ivanhoe,’ and received a warm welcome on his first appearance in the Empire City. Miss Maude Williams played the accompaniments with great taste.

Mil Garry gave another of his very popular promenade concerts in the Drill Shed, New Plymouth, on the 2nd March. The building was beautifully decorated and the place well filled. A most pleasant evening was spent. Miss Ford sang ‘ At Last,’ her beautiful voice sounding rich anil lull, and being admirably suited to the song. Miss Wood and Miss Ford sang a duet, ‘Spring,’ very well indeed. Mr C. Shaw and Mr Perry were also among the vocalists. Both gentlemen have fine voices. Mr Garry was most fortunate in his soloists.