THEATRE ROYAL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2227, 18 April 1881, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

The Liliputian Pinafore Company, respecting whose advent in this city there has been considerable interest, made their debut on Saturday evening at the Theatre Royal. Though evidently suffering from the effects of the fatiguing travel they have undergone recently, the first appearance of the company may bo considered as successful. There were, it is true, one or two little defects, which, perhaps, may, fairly bo attributable not only to the cause referred to, but also to the fact that the theatre was new to them. Prior to noticing the performance in detail, a wellmerited meed of praise is due to the orchestra and chorus, both of which were fully equal, if not superior, to anything wo have yet had in the same capacity as regards “ Pinafore.” The grouping on the stage of the large number of children, the variety of costumes, Ac., had a very pretty effect. Mias May Pollard was the Josephine, and sang the music very well indeed as a whole. She was somewhat overweighted in the soena “ The hours creep on apace,” but in the bell trio, and the duet “Refrain audacious tar,” she was excellent. Her acting was capital, particularly in the scenes with Sir Joseph, and the business throughout the piece was rendered by Miss Pollard with an aplomb and grace which more mature exponents of the same part might copy with advantage. Miss Olivo Pollard as Buttercup was successful, though she appeared to bo suffering from a cold. The Admiral was played by Miss Maude Pollard with much care and success as a whole. The fault noticeable—one, however, which Miss Pollard will do well to endeavour to correct — was a too pronounced affectation of dignity. The young lady appeared too anxious, so that instead of the dignity of Sir Joseph appearing natural and to the manner born, as it should do, it appeared forced and unnatural. Miss Pollard too has a peculiar style of cutting off her words short in singing, which mars the effect. For instance, in the Admiral’s song she sings “ruler ” as “ r’l’r,” and “water” in the bell trio as “ wat’r,” both of which are contrary to the music, and have a peculiarly unpleasant effect on the audience. Otherwise her impersonation was wonderfully clever. Miss Salinger’s Cousin Hebe was such an excellent performance as to make one regret that she had not more opportunity to display her undoubted talent than the part of Hebe affords. Ralph Rsokstraw found a most efficient representative in Master Osmond, who possesses a wonderfully pure voice of great range for so young a lad. He sang the musio throughout excellently, and played the part with much success. He sang the introduced song in the second act, “ The Midshipmite,” very nicely indeed. Master H. Salinger was the Captain Corcoran, and he also is entitled to high commendation for the manner in which he rendered it, bath as regards the musical and histronic portions. The Dick Deadoye of Master Osmond was a wonderfully clever performance for one so Soung, Prom first to last it was full of dry amour, evoking roars of laughter and enthusiastic applause. For real sterling comic humour, it was one of the best impersonations we have had here for many a long day. Mr Arthur Goodwin, who sang the verses “ For he is an Englishman,” did so admirably, and fully deserved the compliment of an encore which was paid him. The midshipmite and the black cook were capital, the song and dance of the latter especially so. Taken as a whole the performance is a thoroughly artistic and pleasing one, and the little people enter most thoroughly and completely into the fun of the piece. “Pinafore” will bo repeated to-night.