Music & Drama.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 97, 2 June 1892, Page 1

Music & Drama.

Spectatum admissi risum teneatis amici ?

“ SUNLIGHT AND SHADOW.”

Fresh, charming, powerful, and original, may seem to be somewhat gushing adjectives, but Mr.' R. C. Carton’s comedy-drama deserves them aIU It is undoubtedly the artistic success •of Miss Myra Kemble’s season, and was a refreshing change from the farcical “ Dr. Bill.” A well-constructed plot, characters stamped with the Hall mark of individuality, a strong motive, crisp and witty words, all give scope to Miss Kemble and her talented company, and the results achieved are entirely satisfactory. Not only did the pathetic passages bring tears into the eyes of many of the audience, but the true humour and fine irony revealed in the comic scenes provoked mirth delicate and refined —to my taste more enjoyable by far than boisterous fun and practical jokes. Only a pachyderm could fail to relish the delicious misunderstanding between “ Dr. Latimer and “ Adolphus Bamfield,” when the latter wishes to ask the former’s consent to the marriage of his daughter Maud, and the doctor thinks Adolphus is consulting him professionally. Again, the dressmaking scene with which the second act opens is irresistibly comic, and enriched with capital mots, e.g., “ Two souls with ■a single thought,” exclaims Adolphus. “ I shall have to supply the single thought,” is ■Maud’s retort. A minute later Maud’s quip, “ My mind is not like a prescription —to be made up while you wait;” quickly followed by Adolphus, having won the day, exclaiming, You have said it at last,” and Maud’s reply, “ Yes ; you squeezed it out of me.” Turning to the characters —Mr. George Leopold is extremely good as “ Dr. Latimer,” dressing and acting the role admirably, besides displaying a fund of genuine pathos for which his lowcomedy gifts had scarcely prepared one. Mr. R. Owen Harris as “ Mark Denzil” makes a splendid success of a very difficult part. Mr. H. W. Diver, too, covers himself with glory as “ George Addis,” revealing power and pathos which come as a surprise from an actor who shone so brightly as “ George Webster ” in “Dr. Bill,” and proves that he possesses an extraordinary versatility. Mr. Edward Lester, as the good-natured noodle “ Adolphus Barnfield,” plays a very laughable role with unqualified’ success, and Mr. E. Leonard’s “ Scollick,” the generally useful gardener who has evidently been spoiled by kindness, is a quaintly comic impersonation. “ Janet Felton ”—a difficult role —i s sa fe in the hands of Miss Nellie Lyons. The vivacious and flirtatious “ Maud ” suits Miss Ada Lee to perfection, and she both looks charming and acts with a delightful grace. As “ Helen Latimer,” Miss Myra Kemble displays her gifts to thorough advantage. The role is a pleasing and sympathetic one, full of sweetness and light. Miss Kemble’s portrayal of the loving, conscientious and unselfish girl, is a miracle of truth, power, and natural grace. Altogether “ Sunlight and Shadow” merits the highest praise I can bestow upon author and performers alike.

“ BARBARA” AND “ JANE.”

“Barbara,” which serves -as clever de tideau to “ Jane,” the piece de resistance, is a clever and pathetic morsel of comedy by the author of “Three men in a boat,” “The idle thoughts of an idle fellow,” etc., etc. It contains some good lines, and is capitally acted by Miss Nellie Lyons in the title role, Miss Clitherow as “Lillie,” Mr. H. W. Diver as “Cecil,” and Mr. J. J. Walsh as “ Finikim.” Unselfishness is the central idea of the plot, which gives scope for much refined humour as well as genuine pathos. “Jane,” the twin-sister farce of “ Dr. Bill,” is equally funny and better constructed. Mr. R. Owen Harris (Charles Shackleton), Mr. George Leopold (Kershaw), Mr. E. Lester (Tipson), Mr. J. J. Walsh (Pixton), Mr. E. Leonard (Claude), all have congenial parts : and with the assistance of Miss M. Corcoran (Lucy Norton), Mrs. Walter Hill (Mrs. Chadwick) Miss Nellie Lyons (Mrs. Pixton) and that thorough business woman “ Jane,” admirably played by Miss Myra Kemble, make fast and furious fun through three very amusing acts. I noticed that Miss Kemble makes “Jane” speak remarkably good and pure English for a “ slavey-Jane,” and that when “Jane” is masquerading as a lady she is much less refined than in her true character. Doubtless Miss Kemble’s subtlety has hit upon a really good point. A servant girl in her efforts to imitate a lady would certainly be less like one than when she is her own natural self. Still it is rare to find one of Jane’s class speaking with such purity of tone and grammatical precision. A solecism thrown in here and there would, I think, add to the vraisemblance without marring Miss Kemble’s conception of the part. The authors deserve high praise for their writing. Many sparkling and epigrammatic lines enrich the dialogue, and the ludicrous situations are countless, and better distributed than in “ Dr. Bill.”

On Friday evening an interesting performance of “ H.M.S. Pinafore,” under the direction of Miss Harding, was given at St. Sepulchre’s schoolroom. The performers, of whom the eldest could only boast sixteen summers, acquitted themselves very creditably. The cast of characters was as follows : — “ Sir Joseph Porter,” Master G. Mcßride; “ Captain Corcoran,” Master C. F. Harding ; “ Ralph Rackstraw,” Miss Ethel Goodwin ; “Dick Deadeye,” Master C. C. Beale; boatswain, Miss Audrey Townshend ; boatswain’s mate, Master Innes Fraser ; “ Hebe,” Miss Barbe Bonar ; “ Little Buttercup,” Miss Winifred Goodwin ; “Josephine,” Miss Maud Harding. All the characters were well taken, and the scenery and chorus proved extremely good. Especial praise is due to Miss Ethel Goodwin, who at a few hours’ notice replaced Miss Russell Fraser as “ Ralph Rackstraw,” Miss Fraser being confined to bed through a sudden attack of influenza. Miss Goodwin, considering the handicap, sang and acted capitally. Among the others “Josephine,” “ Little Buttercup,” and “ Captain Corcoran ” shone most brilliantly. Many of those present wish to see “ Pinafore ” repeated, and it is not unlikely that their wish may be gratified.

By last English mail I received a copy of the libretto of a new and original operetta, entitled “ Robin Hood,” the work of my old friend W. W. Robinson. Everyone remembers the

popular “ Billy,” whose name was a household word in matters racy, athletic and theatrical. The libretto is capitally written, and if the music (by Colin McAlpin) is equal to the words, I feel sure that those present at the performance which took place at Wellingborough Grammar School in April last, must have enjoyed a treat. I notice that the characters —twenty in number —were all taken by masters and boys of the school, and that the stage manager was “ Mr. W. W. Robinson.”

On Thursday evening at the Choral Hall the Orchestra under Herr Carl Schmitt gives a concert, which, judging by the programme, should be a really good one.

Carl Hertz, the eminent prestidigitateur, opens in the Opera House on Monday evening. Beside the wonderful feats of legerdemain and illusion, which are highly spoken of in our exchanges, the entertainment offers many other attractive features.

Orpheus.