AMUSEMENTS.

Evening Star, Issue 4299, 6 December 1876, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

MB EMMETT AS FRITZ. drew a tolerably large attendance again Pntic « B3 Theatre, and the eccentricities of Mr Emmett were as provocative of merm'n T lfni fc^ S «?. P re . vlows , wcasioM The last perfor- * l le<se k/unounced to-night, and ,U9U d entettainment Mr Emmett Present a copy of the songs incidental to Frit* which he has popularised to so great an extent in Dunedin.

LYDIA HOWARDS TROUPE. change of programme was made at by the Lydia j troupe; “ Chilperic’* being withdrawn and by “Lucia di Lammermoor” and “Trial hj" Jury." The first if a burlesque proper on Donizetti t> favorite opera, and it is one of the best of these travesties that we have seen played. The libretto is sparkling and even at times witty, and the incidental music cannot but be relished, for the choicest aits are selected from many operas and appropuated to the purposes of the burlesque. The scenery is good throughout, and the members of the troupe dress their ports richly and w.th taste. The principal defects in last night’s performance were the want of vocal power in most of the singers and the terrible discord that marred the effect ot some of the concerted pieces—notably the grand quintette in the first act. Miss Lydia Howarde, who took the part of Edgar of Ravenswood, appears to have but little idea of acting, but she sang effectively. Her rendering of “ Oh, may Heaven" was much appreciated, and for “ Tommy, make room for your uncle" a vociferous encore had to be acceded to. Miss Jennie Nye was all life and animation as Henry Ashton, and Mdlle. Novaro made an excellen Arthur Both these Indies sang the music allotted to their parts tastefully, and Miss Ashton acted pleasingly as Alice, Lucia’s maid, Mr H. Stcneham is rapidly developing into a comedian of no mean order, as was exemplified by his representation of Dr Raymond. Mr Cary’s fine bass voice told well, but in the part of Norman this gentleman’s histrionic talents were not greatly called on. Mr Power made up well as Lucia, the fair heroine of the opera, and he was occasionally very funny. His vocal effects are however not suited to the character. The choruses went well throughout, but in the orchestra there is still room for much improvement. The curtain next rose upon the operetta “ Trial by Jury," the music of which is by Aithur Sullivan, and the libretto by W. S. Gilbert. This is without exception the most novel and comical piece of any description whatever that has been secnonaDunedm stage for years. The wonderful humor displayed may be faintly imagined from a brief description of the action of the operetta. The scene is laid in a Court of Law, in which a female plaintiff is about to bring an action for breach of promise of marriage against a gay deceiver of the male sex. On the curtain rising we find the jury, clerk to the Court, and usher seated in their places. In a concerted piece the usher directs the jury to try the pending case with fairness, and tho twelve assent—the quaint, way in which they jerk in the refrain being intensely amusing. The defendant then enters and addresses the jury, who in an effective chorus threaten him with heavy damages. Next appears the learned Judge, who —to everybody’s astonishment—recounts to the jury in a rollicking song “ how he became a judge.” A novel swearing-in of the jury follows, and Angelina, the plaintiff, is then called, and eaters the co.irt surrounded by bridesmaids bearing in their hands wreaths of flowers, with which they crown the twelve jurymen. The charms of the plaintiff and her followers are so great that counsel, jurymen, and clerk straightway commence kissing their hands to them, and a very funny scene ensues—the judge himself being smitten by the beauty of the principal bridesmaid. Counsel for the plaintiff now addresses the court iu such moving terms that Angelina falls into his arms, and is then supported by the foreman of the jury, who proffers his services. The learned ju<lgo, however, cannot stand this, and descending from the bench, he kicks the foreman back to his place, end receives the plaintiff into his own protecting embrace—givirg her, indeed, a seat by his own sile. The defendant then addresses the Court and the bridesmaids appeal to the jury, who conduct themselves in a most ludicrous manner. The sympathies of all in Court arc evidently with tIH) fair plaintiff, for judge, jury, counsel, and officials join in a chorus, the burden of which is. “We all love you." Ultimately, the piece is brought to an unexpected conclusion by the judge, after charging the jury, exclaiming that he cannot wait for their verdict all day, and that he will marry the plaintiff himself. Miss Howarde is sufficiently languishing and fascinating as Angelina, and Mdlle. Novaro mates a charming bridesmaid. Mr Cary is highly amusing as the love-strnck Judge. anc 1 . Mr St.meham as counsel for the plaintiff is excellent. Mr Towle .sings nicely as the heartless '•eftnci-.vbut Mr Pov, cr gave-no prominence to the i-iod part of the Uahe'-. The music was fairly ron•‘.cred throughout, save that the chorus were now ■i .1 Hum nearly a bar before the orchestra; but • uis Will doubtless be remedied this evening, when K.Hi “ l.ucia" and “Trial by Jury" will be repeated.