Music, Drama.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume III, Issue 139, 23 March 1893, Page 2

Music, Drama.

[By

“Orpheus.”]

Spectatum admissi risum teneatis amici? Pollard’s Liliputians. “ Mikado ” and “ La Mascotte,” the Liliputian trump cards, proved successful as ever last week. In the former some changes in the cast placed Miss Marion Mitchell in the role of Nanki Poo, vice Miss Lily Everett, who played Yum Yum. Miss Mitchell’s fine voice was heard to advantage in “ A Wandering Minstrel I,” and the numerous concerted morceaux in which the hero takes part. Her acting and enunciation were also good, but I think she might throw a little more ease and abandon into the livelier situations. The three little maids were a complete success. Miss Lily Everett’s Yum Yum was histrionically excellent, and for the most part vocally also. However, she did not make the most of “ The Sun and I,” showing a tendency to rush some of the phrases. Miss Lily Stephens looked a perfect Pitti (little) Sing, and Miss Nellie Wilson was arch and piquant as Peep-bo. To Miss Flo Russell’s Katisha I must award very high praise indeed. Great intelligence and a reserve of power characterised her impersonation, and her singing was remarkably effective —“ Hearts do not break ” being especially well rendered. Of Master Alf Stephens’ Koko I can only say “ ditto” to my former praise. It is a wonderfully clever performance in every respect. Master Harry Quealy doubled the parts of “Pish Tush” and “The Mikado,” and was immense in both. Master W. Percy’s Pooh-Bah deserves similar praise —his dignity, family pride, and Mephistophelian sneer being perfect. The word “verisimilitude” should, however, be pronounced not veri-mnilitude, but verisiwzflitude. Koko also should pronounce the word “ persiflage ” with the emphasis on the second syllable. Percy-flage is certainly not right. But when a critic notices such trivial blemishes it is proof positive of the general excellence and accuracy of all the performers. Encores were of course frequent, the favourite numbers never escaping. The chorus admirably maintained its reputation, and the band under Mr King played almost faultlessly. Scenery, mounting, dressing, and limelight accessories were as usual up to concert-pitch. LA MASCOTTE. Audran’s fascinating opera was given on Saturday and Monday evenings with brilliant success in every department. Its popularity seems never to wane, and a crowded honse —especially on Saturday evening—rewarded the splendid efforts of the company. Miss Lily Everett’s “ Bettina” is quite her best r6le, and she shone in it as brightly as ever. Miss Marion Mitchell’s Pippo is another of that clever little lady’s hits. The GluGlu duet was charmingly sung by the pair. Miss Maud Beatty had rather a thankless “ walking gentleman ” part as Prince Frittolini, but acquitted herself

well on the whole. If she did not quite make the of “ Love is blind,” owing to a cold, her “ I should positively expire ” proved immense. Miss Lily Stephens’ Fiametta was as good as ever, and she again scored with “In old Madrid,” the interpolated song. Masters Alf Stephens’ Laurent and H. Quealy’s Rocco must be bracketed together as a pair of exceptionally brilliant impersonations. Minor parts were capably sustained by Master George Young and the Misses Flo Russell, E. Zeigler, A. McShane, M. Albert, M. Neale, M. Mowbray, V. Russell, N. Foord, etc., etc. Staging, dressing, etc., were again first-rate, and the marching, singing and grouping of the chorus were remarkable for that wonderful precision which Mr Pollard invariably succeeds -in imparting to his clever pupils. The Pirates of Penzance. On Tuesday evening Gilbert and Sullivan’s “ Pirates of Penzance” was staged, but the cast did not comprise the full strength of the company. Miss Lily Stephens’ Major-General, clever as the impersonation is for a little girl, cannot of course compare with that of her talented brother. Still she got through the part with credit. Miss Nellie Wilson’s Ruth will improve every time she performs the part, and already merits high praise, but she lacks the experience of Miss Flo. Russell. Master Percy’s Pirate King, both in singing and acting, is extremely good. Master Harry Quealy doubled the parts of Sam and the Police Sergeant, and made excellent fun out of both roles. Of Miss L. Everett’s Frederick I have always held glowing opinions, and need only say that she sustained the part admirably, singing “ O, is there not one maiden ” with especial success. Miss Marion Mitchell makes a bonnie Mabel, and save occasional slight lapses in intonation, sang with striking effect. “ Poor wandering one ” and “ Ah ! leave me not to pine ” were quite brilliant efforts. The parts of the other three principal daughters were capably played by Miss Nellie Foord, Miss Edith Zeigler, and (I think) Miss May Beatty. Master G. Young made up and acted the lowcomedy Corporal in side-splitting style, and his Liliputian contrast Miss Mary Sullivan caused almost as much merriment. Miss Violet Russell as the lesser “ Sam ” displayed great aplomb and ability for so tiny a buccaneer. The ruined chapel scene was exquisitely managed, and a special word of praise must be awarded to the stage moon, which was one of the best I have seen. Between the acts Mr Russell, whose delicious flute-playing has throughout been quite a feature in the orchestra, played a brilliant'' solo on the piccolo full of double-tonguing and other artistic effects. The house loudly demanded an encore, but business had to be attended to. The “ foorce” were as amusing as usual, but not quite perfect in their drill. One of the best rendered numbers was the choral invocation “ Hail, Poetry !” The performance terminated with some patriotic songs, admirably given by the Major-General, and leading to a lovely tableau showing “ Britannia” posed in an ancient ship. The management have wisely decided to repeat “ La Mascotte” .instead of “Pinafore” on Saturday evening, when the season ends. Miss Marion Mitchell takes a benefit on Friday evening, when “The Little Duke ” will be staged, and the beneficiare will sing a waltz song composed by Herr Carl Schmitt, who has given the young lady lessons in singing during the season. To-night “ Patience ” will be performed, and the season winds up on Saturday night with “ Pinafore.” At the performance of “ La Mascotte ” on Mpnday evening some thirty of the crew of. H.I.G.MS. “Bussard” formed a most appreciative portion of the large audience present. All the favourite items, e.g.y Miss Lily Stephen’s “ Most Attractive Girl,” Miss Lily Everett’s “ Pippo, my love,” Miss Mowbray’s clever “ Sarsaparilla ” dance, and King Laurent’s and Rocco’s excellent fooling were enthusiastically received. The splendid march with lime-light effects and the original local gags hit the bull’s eye of popular taste with unerring precision.

In reply to many questions as to the of Miss Alice Sydney Burvett, “ Orpheus” begs to say that he has not heard her play.