COMIC OPERA SEASON

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2384, 13 February 1915, Page 9

COMIC OPERA SEASON

"THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE"

a. FINE PERFORMANCE. "The Pirates of Penzance," or "The Slavo of Duty,". a comic opera in two acts, by Sir W, S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan. Principal characters: — Major-General Stanley ... Ohfis. I'. Walonn Tho Pirate Kins ••••• I'rank Wilson Samuel G. Villierß Arnold Frederick M'Keovrn Sergeant of Police Albert Kavanagh Mabal Gladys MoncriefT iidith • Katie May Kate ...... i Maud Miles Isabel Alice Bennette Kuth. Ethel Morrison A very wolcome revival at tho Grand Opera House last evening was. the tuneful comic opera "The Pirates of Penzance," one of the most melodious and successful of the Gilbert and Sullivan series. It is full of action and life, with spirited dramatio situations, which link up the whole work into, an animated whole; it is conspicuous -for its fine choruses, while the whimsical wit of -Gilbert gives it a comical polish. The motif is a play on duty, a basis upon-, which surely none but Gilbert could have built such a comedy of piratical nonsense, flavoured with the noblesse oblige sentiments of a retired army officer and the serio-comic .manifestoes of fat policemen. • The performance by the company was excellent, amongst the best of its efforts here. The general atmosphere of the opera, the spirit of the situations, and the whimsical sequence of events, all combine to meet the performers more than half-way, the result, being a a production which goes with a fine swing from .start to finish. The choruses in '"The Pirates" were conceived in Sullivan's happiest vein, and as sung by the company last evening were a conspicuous feature of the performance, but the orchestra is not up to Gilbert and Sullivan form, for the tempo and. rhythm of the. music is at times beyond it. The work of the principals generally was good all through, and in parts excellent. Mr. Charles AValenn, as Major-General Stanley, had a role-which placed some restraint upon the lighter side of his art. as a comedian, and in disciplining his spirits to the atmosphere of the part he showed himself a thorough artist, and gave an excellent study. of a retired military officer grown a trifle passee. His .song of "The Major-General" was qwte his best individual effort. Mr. Frank Wilson, as the Pirate King, was in his best vein, , and his singing and acting were perfectly suited to He has a (characteristic trick of . "vowel-ising" the final consonants of his words—the expression is used for want of a better— which is rather, a defect in his singing, but one is inclined to think that that is rather the effect of a manifest effort to make his enunciation as. clear as possible—a difficult accomplishment in- Gilbert and Sullivan opeia—than an. unconscious defect in his singing. In speaking his lines his enunciation is excellent, and every word is heard. As Frederic, ■ the , Pirate Apprentice, Mr. Edward M'Keown had a strong part, which he filled successfully, though handicapped by a somewhat expression:less air. His fine tenor voice, however, was no small compensation for the shortcomings .in his. acting, and in 6ome of his soenes with Ruth (the Pirate, maid-of-all-work) and Mebal, one of General Stanley's daughters, even some of his stiffness of deportment was relaxed by the spirit of the moment. Mr. Arnold' Villiers, though well in the picture, had. a minor part in. the role of Samuel, the. Pirate King's lieutenant, but his singing, as xteual, ..was artistically good, and his comedy work quit?. diverting. Mr. Albert Kavanagh-made an excellent sergeant of police, 'and his singing -and acting were properly Gilbertian. He distinctly soored in "A Policeman's Lot." Miss Gladys Moncrieff, as Mabel, daughter of General Stanley had ample scope for her very 'fine soprano voice, and delighted the audience with her work. Her great song is "Poor Wand'ring One;" in which she - scored • a special triumph, while in her parting duet with Frederic (Mr. M'Keown), in the second act—in which, by the wa_y, the voices did not. blend very happily in parts—she was also most enjoyable. As" Ruth, the Pirate maid-of-all-work, aged 47, but still 1 "a fine woman," Miss Ethel Morrison, whose work all through the seaison has been thorough and conscientious, had a good part, and gave an artistio performance. ; The role suited her, and she filled it well. The •principals were capably seconded by Miss Katie May, Miss Alice Bemietto, and Miss Maud Miles in their roles as General Stanley's other three daughters.

The opera being a short one, a performance of "Trial by Jury," already twice previously produced during tlio season, was added. The "Pirates of Penzance" will be played again this evening, with "Trial by Jury," when the company will,conclude a highly, successful and very welcome season.