ENGLISH COMIC OPERA COMPANY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1723, 28 August 1879, Page 3

ENGLISH COMIC OPERA COMPANY.

“ H.M.S. Pinafore,” which is now pretty familiar to the Christ church public, was repsated last evening by the English Comic Opera Company to a crowded house. Miss Leaf, who plays the part of Josephine, has a very cultivated voice, and sings the musio of the part with taste and expression. She ■was especially successful in the second act, and received an enthusiastic encore for her really excellent rendering of the number. Her speaking voice is also good, and she gives the dialogue with point and effect. Miss Hunter, who played the part of Little Buttercup, had to contend against the impression created in the same part by Signora i Yenosta, but she nevertheless managed to make herself a prime favorite by the way in which she made up and sang the musio allotted to her. In the song in which aha describes her experience as a baby farmer. Miss Hunter was very good indeed. Miss Heath, who played Hebe, has a really excellent voico,and one deserving better scope for displaying it to advantage than is afforded by the part. She did what little she had to do bo well as to induce a hope that she may appear in a part bettor fitted to show off her voice. Mr Riccardi, who played Sir Joseph, both as an actor and a singer, is entitled to take high rank. He possesses a very fine bass voice of considerable culture, and as an actor he is good. The music allotted to him was sung both with care and precision. Balph Rackstraw was played by Mr Crain, a gentleman possessing a very good voice of considerable compass and sweetness. He was very successful in his interpretation of the music, and also in the aoting of the part. Mr Harding, as Captain Corcoran, shared the honors of the evening with Messrs Riccardi and Crain. This gentleman, to a very excellent voice, adds great power. His rendering of “ Fair Moon to thee I|Sing” evoked lond and well-deserved plaudits. Mr Hodson, as Dick Deadeye, was good in make up, acting, and singing. He was encored in the well-known dnet, “Kind Captain," and thoronghont gave a most humorous rendering of the character. The other characters wore well filled, and tho piece was admirably put on the stage, the choruses being well taken throughout. The company appear again this evening.