"LA MASCOTTE."

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3956, 25 March 1884, Page 3

"LA MASCOTTE."

Thoro was a grand attendance last night at the Theatre Royal to witness tho second performance of the abovo opera. Ycsterdiiy wo wrote, to fully appreciate the beauties of an opera,' and to become acquainted with its excellencies, a certain amount of familiarity is necessary, and by the many who have been present at both representations but one opinion is expressed, and that is that last night's performance far excelled that given on Saturday night, though it seemed almost impossible to improve on the first representation. The vocalists had lost their " sea-legs," tho mechanical effects wero under more perfect control, a brighter feeling pervaded principals and chorus alike, both had become familiarised—much more necessary than many people are aware of —not only with tho audience, but tho stage as well. Givon conditions so favorable, is it to be wondered at that the opora went with great smoothu*ss ; the principals, who wore in good voice, with perhaps the exception of Mr Vemon, who was patchy in the first two acts, sang their parts with great spirit, and the chorus, through their very familiarity with the opera, did thoir work to perfection. The grouping, posings, marches woi'o as Hyinmctrical as before. The lime light was used to advantago in the third act, while a largo reflector in the earlier portion was available for the display of light and shade. Encores and recalls were numerous, and, judging by the laughter and applause of tho audience, the opora is not likely to bo soon forgotten by a Napier audience.