Music & Drama.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 68, 12 November 1891, Page 2

Music & Drama.

Spectatum admisst nsum teneatis amici ?

The re-production of “ Little Monte Christo ” attracted a tremendous house in the City Hall on the Prince of Wales’ birthday. The piece is altered in places, novelties in the shape of local hits have been added, and with one or two judicious cuts where the action drags a bit, especially in some of Moslevi’s too exuberant business, the company may confidently expect a warm reception for the burlesque during their contemplated holiday tour. Especial credit must be given to Mr. Burke, who selected, adapted and arranged the music distributing the parts among a compact little band, consisting of violin, cornet, piano, double bass and drum. The scenery, mounting and costumes throughout are tasteful, elegant and effective. Mr. Neville Thornton scores a success in each of the three scenes, viz., the “ Port of Marseilles,” in Act L, “ The Chateau D’if,” in Act IL, and in “ Monte Christo’s Cave,” — Act lII.— which last is a really exquisite example of skill and taste. The waits between the acts —as is almost invariably the case on first nights—were a bit tedious, but when the piece has been played a few times, and everything sets itself mechanically, the intervals will be greatly shortened. Miss Amy Vaughan is, of course, the life and soul of the piece, and she is ably supported by her talented company. In her tripartite roles of Edmund Dantes, Abbd Busoni and the Count, she displays her wonted versatility and really lovely dresses. The sky-blue and oldgold combination is especially elegant, and the dark-blue soutane in which she enacts the clerical dude is a most becoming costume. Miss May Travers looks quite too killing in creamy bridal costume with orange flowers galore, and a sweet bouquet. Her singing, too, is a feature in the performance, “ He is so innocent, I vow,” and “ In this prison I must leave thee,” being given with sweetness and pathos. Miss Annie Wyniard deserves similar praise as Marguerite her dainty dress of heliotrope and black velvet with French mob cap charming each eye and delighting each heart. In the third act, arrayed in a delicate pale pink, she sings “ Sweet Marguerite ” with telling effect Miss Annie Vaughan as the Masher villain de Villepont wears a neat and elegant ruby plush, with a white lace waistcoat, and performs her part with efficiency and grace — distinctness of enunciation being a special feature. Miss Daisy Thornton as Danglers makes a very comic melo-dramatic ruffian, and trips through her role with characteristic lightness. Mr. Travers Vale as Moslevi, the Jew pedlar, hits the popular taste for unbridled extravagence in burlesque, and much of his work r is J irresistibly comic. Mr. Harry Cowan as Catherine makes the hit everyone expected, and by ,quaintly grotesque dressing, acting, singing and gestures, compelled shrieks of merriment. The choruses are richly dressed, and the Misses Parvin as looked vif and dears too ! Among the best things not already mentioned are the “ Hush ” trio, the pedlar’s song and chorus, Catherine’s rescue from a watery grave — her garments being picked out piecemeal, until her bustle is followed, by the lady herself, Carlo’s medley song, the duet “ I am a warrior bold,” with cutlass clashing accompaniment, Marguerite’s song “ See how it sparkles,” the “ Clicketty Clash ” song and chorus, “Trip, trip,” duet, with very graceful dance by Misses Vaughan and Travers. The warders in bright ;red costumes bearing lanterns and led by Miss May Travers sing a very catching chorus at the opening of the prison scene in Act 11. The duet “ My excellent friend,” the topical duet and dance •* So they say,” and the splendidly atrocious miaw

trio. The finale of the second act is a clever adaption of the “ Paradox ” music in the “ Pirates.” A very tasteful orchestral prelude with an effective cornet solo introduces the third act. The chorus of schoolgirls look very attractive with their pretty frocks and skipping ropes. They sing a tuneful ditty very pleasingly. Altogether this performance of “ Little Monte Christo ” must be looked upon as a decided advance upon the former production, and with “Black-Eyed Susan,” which is in active preparation and will be produced shortly, the company bid fair to win honour and bawbees during their provincial tour. I must not omit to notice the capital limelight and prismatic effects, and to award due praise to Mr. Fred Maro, who so skillfully controls them.

On Monday evening the concert given in the Opera House by Professor Carollo and Mr. T. M. Jackson was patronised by a large and enthusiastic audience, who ‘manifestly relished the excellent programme provided. Mr. Eady had a good little orchestra, which played selections from “ Mikado,” “ Princess Ida,” etc., very nicely, besides accompanying Mr. T. Jackson in “ Twenty Years Ago ” As most of the morceaux have been before given and criticised in this column, a notice in detail is scarcely necessary. Besides the duet “ Excelsior ” with Mr. P. Dufaur, Mr. Jackson sang “ Mona,” and as an encore “ Estudiantin.” Mr. Dufaur gave very effectively “ Honour bids me speed.” Professor Carollo and Messrs. Lonergan, W. Russell and Burgess gave the audience more than “ three bars ” rest with an excellent display of work on the same. Mrs. Cooper pleased everyone with “ Love’s request.” In the “Captive Greek Girl ” Mrs. Kilgour’s accurate vocalisation exacted an enthusiastic encore, in response to which she sang “ Sing, sweet bird,” with equal success. In the second part the same lady sang “ The song of the angels ” very acceptably. Miss Rimmer secured a well-merited encore for “ The song that reached,” and gave “ There’s no one like mother.” Her other song was “It is not always May,” and for an encore “ Sweet Spirit hear my prayer.” Mr. Alfred Bartley played all the pianoforte accompaniments with his customary taste and precision. The gymnestic performances by Professor Carollo and his clever pupils were if anything better than ever. I wish, to thank a friendly member of the Dobson-Kennedy company for sending some particulars of their very successful tour, from which I hope to quote hereafter. Orpheus.