AMUSEMENTS.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 714, 3 October 1876, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

LYDIA HOWAROE BURLESQUE TROUPE. One of Lecocq's best productions, the opera of "Girofie-Girofla," was presented last evening by the Lydia Howarde Troupe, and drew a crowded house. The piece is one of the very best that the management has placed upon the stage ; the appointments, dresses, scenery, and music, being of the most recherche description, and its representation, considering it is of a very heavy musical nature and full of smart repartee and point, was very creditable indeed to all who toot part in its enactment. We do not mean to say that no hitch occurred during its performance, because on the production of any piece for the first time, there is almost a certainty of something going out of the groove. In this case, however, everything went as "merry as a marriage bell" till the last act, when two or three minor items occurred in the shape of a want of knowledge of the text, and a proper application of the right cues, all of which will, we feel sure, be overcome on the next representation. The opera itself (of which we gave a plot in our issue of yesterday), is full of lively and elegant music; its melodies are exceedingly graceful, and the choruses and concerted pieces are also extremely brilliant and forcible, and the tableaux very striking. In scenery, Mr Briggs and assistants were most successful, whilst the rich and elaborate dresses of the company helped to contribute to the harmony and general air of grandeur so necessary to give that finishing touch to the great extravagance and pompous show pertaining to the rich nobles cf S;an. J'he army, pirates, and guests were also most capitally made up in appearance, whilst the gorgeons and elaborate costume of the Moorzouk, and the " heavy" old man style of Bolero was most comical. Miss Howarde, as the double heroine, looked and sang most charmingly, and her impersonation of this part was undoubtedly one of her best of the season. In her singing of the numerous songs, she was most successful in the drinking song, " how it sparkles," which she sang most artistically, whilst in her conceited pieces she was likewise most effective, and in her duets with Mr Towle she added greatly to her already-made reputation as a songstress. Mr Towle, who sang some choice music with Miss Howarde, did not appear to be at home in his part, seeming to be suffering from hoarseness, which greatly militated against the success of his voice, throughout the evening. Miss JSfavaro, as Paquita the lady's maid, looked and acted her part in a most charming aud finished manner, and sang most pleasingly and with great taste ' • The sun ha 3 sunk," whilst in the concerted music her voice was heard to great advantage. Miss Jennie Nye played the part of Pedro in a fine dashing style, singing her music in a pleasing and finished manner, and in the execution of the duet with Miss Navaro, both young ladies were loudly greeted. Miss Lucy Ashton, as the wife of Bolero, enacted her part with great care, and was fairly successful. Mr Oary, as Mourzouk, was a capital representation of the ferocious Turk, and sang and acted in a truly artistic manner, whdst Mr Power's funny enactment of Bolero, the henpecked husband, was a most striking piece of acting, and gained for him the enthusiasm of the audience. Mr Hill as the pirate chief, although a small part, made the most of it, and the other members of the company did full justice to the characters allotted them. The chorusses were well rendered, especially the " Bye-and-bye" chorus, which was loudly applauded. The orchestra played charmingly seveaal brilliant overtures during the evening, notably the one between the second and third acts. The same programme will be repeated this evening, when we have no doubt the slight defects noticeable last evening will be entirely overcome. Owing to the length of the piece the performance commences at the advertised time, viz, eight o'clock.