AMUSEMENTS.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 667, 9 August 1876, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

THE LYDIA HOWARDE TROUPE. The first representation of " The White Cat" drew a very large audience at the Hall last night, but the piece, in point of merit or wit, cannot be compared to either "Chilperic" or " Nemesis." There appears to be that want of happy, sparkling, pointed repartee pertaining to the former burlesques, to class it with either of them. However, the piece has had a long run in other cities, and no doubt it will become more fascinating on future acquaintance. There is some very charming music introduced into the burlesque, amongst which the new and popular song, " Tommy make room for your uncle," and " The Carnival of Venice," &c, are the most prominent; but the music generally is of a better class than is usually sang in opera bouffe. The play itself is founded on the old nursery tale where the Princess (Miss Navaro) is turned into a white cat, and is wafted away into the realms of pusseydom until released by her handsome lover the Prince (Miss Howarde). The fairy Dragonetta (Miss Nye) who watches over and guards the Princess from evil, and finally restores her to the arms of her lover, was beautifully enacted. Miss Howarde, as Prince Lardi Dardi, both worked and acted with her usual taste and spirit, and was in splendid voice, singing with great effect " I'll follow thee," whilejthe difficult .trills and runs in the "Carnival of Venice" were rendered most artistically, calling forth the enthusiastic plaudits of the audience, to which she responded; the same may also be said of "Tommy, make room for your uncle," in which she also obtained a hearty encore from her admirers. Miss Navaro sang with splendid effect "Love, beautiful love," and in "The kissing song " she quite took her audience by storm. Her acting showed a careful study of the piece she was enacting, evincing her desire to do justice to the intentions of the author. Miss Nye, rg is her wont, was everything that could be wished for, both in her impersonation of the pretty fairy, and also in her singing and execution of her dancing; she gave, Avith line expression and feeling, the pretty ballad of '' Molly dear." Mr Power, as Miss McTabby, was very funny, his make up and singing of " Bother the men" being capital. Air Cary was also very successful in his solo singing, but we cannot say the same for the old quartette, " Mynheer Van Dunck," it not only being sung out of time, but the voices would not blend, consequently there was a lack of harmony. The other characters Were very fairly filled, and we have no doubt all little defects will be overcome in future. Mr Briggs received two distinct calls before the curtain, for his really beautiful scenery, but at the same time we think it is highly injudicious to kpep the ladies and gentlemen standing on the stage looking at each other Avhilst the scenic artist is being found to bow his acknowledgments, when a call at the clpse of the act or piece would suffice equally as well, and the business of the play not be interfered with. Mr Thompson was very successful with his lime Hght, and added. greatly to beautify the splendour of the scenery. The same programme will be submitted this evening.