DOROTHY.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 8 November 1901, Page 2

DOROTHY.

A Bright, Sparkling Entertainment

The humorous and sparkly opera of Dorothy was put upon the stage ip the Opera House, Greymouth, last night, by Miss Easson and her talented Company, The plot of the opera, like most similar productions is of a fragmentary character and success has to depend largely upon the music —which is bright and tuneful—the capacity of the actors, and the scenio effects. It will be seen from the foregoing that the opera has its difficulties to be over* come in order to make it presentable and enjoyable to a large audience such *e that which assembled last night. The time for preparation too, was remarkably short, yet that talented young lady, Miss Easson overcame all these obstacles, and last night gave evidence of her construe* tive power, her clear interpretation o£ the author's ideas, and her artistic taste in arrangement of stage scenery and effects. She is deserving of hearty congratulations for the undoubted success that crowned her efforts, for the audience were unaminously of the opinion that the production was one of the best put on the stage for some time past, and gave unstinted applause. The orchestra was a strong one, numbering 15 performers, while Miss* Easson wit lied the baton. The opening scene was a picture iltus« trative of a peasants festival at the conclusion of the hop kicking in which the stage was nicely balanced, the dresses pleasing to the eye, and the musia charm* ing to tliß ear. Here at once Miss Jessie Matheson—a clever young actress—scored a success, and established herself a favourite. This scene serves to introduce most of the principal characters, Miss Mable Easson as Dorothy-in-disguise, along with Miss Cecil Yarrall as Lydia, her cousin, both acquitted themselves well, and in subsequent scenes by excellent acting and sing ing secured rounds of applause and showers of floral tributes. Miss H. BeresforC as Lady Betty, had not much to do, but what she had was done well. As Mrs Privet, Mr Tasma Byan was immense, his, or we presume her, every appearance was the signal for applause. In the love scone with Lurcher, where -she confides all about her four previous husbands, Mr Byan was irresistibly funny. Mr Pegler, as Lurcher, was a perfect success, indeed

his every movement comical to a degree, was watched with evident satisfaction by the audience who were not slow to detect in the young gentleman, qualities that go to make up a comedian of more than ordinary capacity. His acting with Misa Privet was excellent. As Geoffrey Wilder Mr North acquitted himself well. The part is a difficult one, as also was that of Captain Sherwood ably sustained by Mr J. P. Staples. The innkeeper found a capital representative in Mr J. Trerise, while Mr W. Cocks made a capital Squire Bantam. The minor parts were well sustained by Messrs Williams, Rawkina and Reilly. The curtain rose on a very pretty and effective scene in the second act in Chanticleer Hall, the stage being admirably fitted up, displaying the grand staircase, and other “ belongings ” to a palatial above. Then the skirt dance by two charming little artists—Misses Maggie and Nellie M'Neil-was introduced and took the audience by storm, Again and again had the clover little girls to respond to encores, while in their dance in the scarlet runners they were even more successful. A word of recognition is due to Messrs Yickerman and Grogan for their fine stage scenery, and to Mr Bell for his lime light effects which helped materially to the success af>* tained.

At the interval the Chairman of the Hospital Trustees Board thanked the audience and announced that the performance would be repeated to-night, and further thanked Miss Hasson and her company for their efforts to aid a deserving institution, and said that quite apart from the object of the entertainment, the intrinsic merit of the performance was sufficient to warrant large support.