COMIC OPERA SEASON
"H.M.S. PINAFORE"
"H.M.S. Pinaforo," a two-act comic opera by Sir W. S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan. Principal characters: — Sir Joseph Porter Charles R. Walenn Captain Corcoran ....... G. Villiers Arnold Ralph Backstraw Edward il'Koown Dick Deadoye - Albert Kav.uiagh Bill Bobstay „ Frank Wilson Josepnine Gladys Honcrieff Hebo _ Katie May Little Buttercup Ethel Morrison Tho Grand Opera House was crowded last evening for the first performance by tho Williamson Opera Company, of Gilbert and' Sullivan's comic naval opera "H.M.S. Pinafore," one of the best known of the wholo series, by reason Of the breezy and popular spirit of the songs which are written for tho various characters, and especially welcome to an audience already keyed up by the great international crisis to respond to the "What-ho, my hearties I" of the cheery lads of the Pinafore. . It is, also, an extremely clever satire on the British Admiralty system as it is existed some years ago, when, the dry rot of officialdom was a serious menace to the progress of the Navy in general up-to-date-uess. The performance, on the whole, was a very satisfying one, though hardly up to the standard set by the company in "The Mikado." The conductor of the orchestra was not closely enough in touch with the stage—a weakness perceptible in the previous productions, but irritatingly obvious last evening. .• Tho chorus was good, as it has been all through. Mr. Charles Walenn, as was confidently expected, gave an inimitable study of the Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Porter, K.C.8., First Lord of the Admiralty, a precise and extremely official old gentleman, who began life by polishing the knocker of the big front door of the Admiralty, and by sticking to his desk, rose to be the "ruler of the king's navee." Mr. Waleen has the true artist's eye for effect, and his ability to discard for the'moment the role of pompous dignity and_ assume the Gilbertian air of irresponsible frivolity is great. His first appearance on the stage is a delicious caricature of the British high official. Mr. Villiers Arnold's fine baritone voice was well disciplined to the spirit of the opera, and his work as Captain Corcoran, commander of, the Pinafore, generally was thorough, and conscientious, but his personality/does not seem to fit the role —he does not, so to speak, radiate the magnetism of the captain. Mr. Edward M'Keown did good work as Ralph Rackstraw, A.8., and his fine tenor voice was heard to advantage. He is rather inclined to allow his atte'ntion to wander, and detach himself at odd intervals from the general atmosphere of the proceedings, a habit which somewhat obtruded itself towards the end of the performance last evening. 'Mr. Albert Kavanagh, as. Dick' Deadeye, was distinctly good, both in his singing and acting, and was careful not to overdo the "business" of his, part. Mr. Frank Wjlson, as Bill Bobstay.'the boatswain's mate,'had not a great deal to do, but he did it well. As Josephine, Captain Corcoran's daughter—"the lass who loves ■a. sailor" —Miss Gladys Moncrieff was given ample opjwrtunities of delighting the audience with her charming voice, and her work was artistically good. Miss Ethel Morrison, as Little Buttercup, a Portmouth boat-woman —the lady who in the days when young and charming"practised baby farming a strong part, and an excellent opportunity for displaying her talent for roles less austere than the Duchess of Plaza Toro, in "The Gondoliers," or Katisba, in the "Mikado." She was animated and diverting, and scored quite a triumph as Little Buttercup. Miss Katie May, as Hebe, tho First Lord's first cousin, had a minor part, but she has the happy knack of looking interested in her work even when in the background, an air which is an important factor in sustaining the animation of any piece. The performance of "Pinafore" was foDowed by the musical farce, "Trial by Jury," a short scene enacted in a Court of Justice, its essence being a clever tilt at the British judicial system. The Judge was amusingly caricatured by Mr. Walenn, who presided over a breach of promise suit hi his own inimitable way. Miss Pearl Ladd appeared as the plaintiff, and her charming voice -was artistically tuned to the role of the jilted one. Mr. Albert Kavaiiagh made a laughable Court Crier, Mr. Villiers Arnold heroically sustained the role of. Counsel for the 1 Plaintiff,, while Mr. Edward M'Keown, as the Defendant, correctly portrayed the character of the handsome "wretch." Both pieces will be repeated this evening, and to-morrow evening will follow the last of the series, "The Pirates of Penzance," to which will also be bracketed "Trial by July."
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Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2382, 11 February 1915, Page 9
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772COMIC OPERA SEASON Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2382, 11 February 1915, Page 9
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