H.M.S. Pinafore.

Manawatu Herald, 22 February 1894, Page 2

H.M.S. Pinafore.

• ■ Last night the Foxfcon Amateurs gave a most successful reproduction of Gilbert and Sullivan's favourite opera, H.M.S. Pinatore, before a large and appreciative audience. The front seats had been hooked weeks in ' advance and the many rows secured showed the high opinion the public held of the capabilities of the performers, and we do not think they were in any way disappointed. We were pleased to notice the Mayor of Palmerston present, unaccompanied however by Mrs Park, who was unfortunately detained at home to attend to a sick friend. Several ofcher Palmerston visitors we noticed among the audienoe. A threat many came from Sanson and Carnarvon, they having travelled by a special tram, thoughtfully provided by the manager of the line, Mr Cox, and some also came from Feilding. The secretary of a society that is getting up M Pinafore " in Pahiatua was present to pick up a thing or two, and expressed his satisfaction at his visit, and the manner in which the opera had been produced. The scenery met wifch much ap- j probation, and indeed all the stage effects and grouping reflects the highest credit upon the stage manager, Mr Alf Fraser, whose duty all through has not been the easiest. The orchestra was excellent, lend* ing a very powerful part to a mosfc pleasant entertainment. Mrs F. R. Young has worked hard attending all rehearsals as pianiste, and to her a great deal of fche credit of the performance is due. The other members of the orchestra were : — First violin, Mr Hotop, from Wellington, leader of the Opera House orchestra ; cornet, Mr R. F. Haybittle ; bass viol. Mr H. L. Bilderbeck; second violin, Master Haybittle, the three latter from Feilding. Mr Hotop's assistance was of very much value, and as we understand he gave his services for the good of the cause, it was an aefc very much to be appreciated. Mr Haybittle, with the cornet, was also of great assistance to the performers in fche different choruses. The statement made by us, in our last issue that the performers were letter perfeot was no vain imagination, as we have never witnessed a firat performance by amateurs where the voice of the prompter, promteth however softly, was so seldom heard. This with such a large number, the majority of whom it was their first appearance only, speaks much for their industry and interest.. There are not many principal characters in the opera, but the heaviest work fell upon Josephine (Mrs Dormer), Ralph Rackstraw (W. Cook), Captain Corcoran (W. T. Little), The First Lord (J. R. Stansell), and Little Buttercup (Miss H. Burr). We are not belittleing fche others in saying so, as the performers one and all worked spleudidly together and the choruses were most pleasingly rendered. Josephine's duet with Ralph " Refrain, audacious tar " was most pleasingly sung and elecifced deserved applause. What we mosfc admired and where opportunity was given to the lady to show some feeling, was in the Scena " The hours creep on apace " and Mrs Dermer undoubtedly did full justice to her part ; this is mosfc difficult, and requires both a good musician and a walltrained voice to deliver with effect. Thafc Mra Dermer scored such a success is a sufficient endorsement of our opinion of this lady's capabilities,

Little Buttercup ''.dear little Butter; cup" (Miss H. Burr), acted ahd sang to the part capitally, and she had the onerous duty of singing the first aria in the opera. In the song "A many years ago" the young > lady and the whole company wejre electrified into more life and motidaa^^ than in any other portion and 'thus* rendered the scene most pleasing. Miss Williams (Hebe) 'did; the little she had to do as well as it could be done, looking the paTt'to perfection and usiug her bright clear voice to much advantage* Miss Lettie Williams, as Sam Tucker the Midshipmite, was dressed "to kill," and mnde the dearest, - sweetest, most lovable duck of a sailor any girl could fall in love with. In the first act a song " The Midshipmite " was ' introduced, which she sang with much fcaste and expression, and thus secured the only encore the audience granted, not but thafc ofcher members deserved it, bafc.it appeared that such a thing was not in keeping with the proceedings of the opera,, and was only forced by this little performer and the song; Mr J. R.^Stansell, as Firsfc Lord, performed fche part in a most credit* ._ able manner ; he was the veriest swell of them all, being attired- in whifce siik stockings and whifce satin knee breeches, wifch waistcoat to match, and pale blue Admiral's coat, with cocked hafc and sword. It was very becoming also, and the audience felt thafc someone having authority was about. The well known song " When I was a lad I served a term,!! . was given with much vigor add action, and the chorus being will taken up, the hall was filled ; -with much melody. We congra^lte Mr Stansell most heartily suecesstul rendering of this ch%aoter. In addition io his singing we were pleased to noti«e the distinct ■articulation of the speaking parts, and the proper emphasis givenip the points. This is sometimes losfcsjgjbt of by amateurs. Captain Corcoran (W .T. Little) also deserves jusfc commendation for fche careful manner in which he sang, and we have before now had the pleasure of congratulating him on the possession of a very sweet voice. Mr William Cook (Ralph Rackstraw) must be awarded the palm in the male characters, as he developed a much greater capability as an actor than was expected, and he used his grand Toice with well and marked effect. His duets wifch Josephine were among the gems of fche evening. The ballad,„,jCA Maiden fair to see," is item that was very pleasingly wW*~ : by him. Mr Young, as Diok Bern- ..--" eye, representing 'th-B «villan ofjme piece was excellefi^^^^p^^nA his caution 3 **^, unfolds the plo^"||pi^^t?of^^*-^---phine and Ralph^^ jjd^e^apt| f f t^^i'i as good a bit p|^^^|^vas made v and |h<B^ formers, an^^l^i|pugn his , was :*-*. ; niajpdl^|ph ■ that in<||J||u\ a alifcy^wMiep^l' gentlemen pji^qto all "his*'%arts.3 The Boats wgkmV Mate (C. E. Short fc)^§M^ahe manner born, * De -' n i' : 3lE^^^^^^^ in his part and sang^w-p^^^^^^^*^ emphasis, and was 'dios*t^'S^^|^ms^ leading the choruses. : Carpenter's Mate, w^al^ < 4 §dl there " when a chorusf was needed. The conduotor (Mr "E." Osborne), a person of no little 'importance, cannot be omitted, but apari> from anything we might have to sayvifee - proceedings last evening mtisfc^havft. almost been " the proudV&Ym^^fe-f of his life." After much endaranoeT great care, the exercise of p \_sb. *" tact, to find one and all exceeding' 6 ' your anticipations must indeed< cv bS* * gratifying, and this ia what befell-Mr Edmund Osborne. . "'■■^■'■^&3&. interest our lady rea4^^^^p^n the matter, the dreßges^w^^a^|e JosEPHma (firs| --apt)^^^^ ||ug dress of navy serga ;spij^^OT |||h fancy braid, white •'^^J^^^ffl oap y (se<xon6^ aet};^ di^^^ra cream nainsook ■ triip^i^^^ffl Wm* guipure lace, white iiatittsfr^P mm. neouiace, gold orn*sKnej|j^^^|^^[some ivory fan.:. ■ V.3^li^^^^^s| Cousin Hbbe ; .."!I^^-;6f v]^p^|r silk trimmed Wifcn;tffbgßg^^^j^ 4 picture hafc with roses.-. *' ... .;,-;* '^S^^^fe^. Little Buttercup ;*.£-* dress, blue skirt itndV^|j|^|^i9 f black shoes and red stp^^|/a*iid large sailor's hafc. Sam TuoKEa : Midshipman's dress. Chorus. ? ' Mrs Cook : Pale blue po^gi with,' dark blue silk 'ruffled Blee'ves^ aid" belfc, large white hat with lorget-me-not wreath. Mrs T. JNye : Dress of agrex Mfcin^ trimmed With Japanese -su^l^hJ necklace, and large hafc with cream ostrich feathers. • Miss Burr: Heliotrope net ooa-v tume with ribbon to match, oream* hat wi h heliotrope ribbon bows.- ,_a Miss Spring : Whifce muslin sfcfai. with blue bands, blue bodide and* white hat trimmed with cornflowers. Miss CcMMERFnaD : ft&e blue flannelette trimmed with white mili* tary braid, picture hat, and .pink roses. ,^ll '■"'. . Miss Dr'Bit>-oer : Dress of cream ! muslin, red silk collar and belt, ! straw hat with ltd silk trimming to j match. , Miss C. De Ridder ; Cream muslin : dress with cardinal velvet trimming,

»^M»tJyJn i' im iti !■«■■»»*■* ' — arid erealh bat with forget-me-nots. Miss CohtiNS : Dress of pc '••* link nun's veiling, hat to match. Miss Ada Stansell : White muslin dress with pale blue sash, white hat p- with red poppies. Mas F. R. Young (at piano) : Grey crepe cloth trimmed with gold embroidery. The First Lord'-* uniform we have already described. Mr Little had a handsome naval captain's uniform which became him We*ttr W. Cook, Young, Shoi'tt and Coe were attired in proper man-of --wav oostttrrte* Medsi'a Ennis, Bridge and McCifea were the marines, and in proper regulation outfits. The others in Naval costume were Messrs T. Westwood, Betty, P. Williams, C. Collins, L. Stansell and Dermer. The committee, Messrs Khodes, Stansell, Williams, and Fraser are to be congratulated on their efforts, the result must liave been up to their expectations. The grouping of the company was markedly good and at times the scenes were most inspiriting. The chorus are to be congratulated on understanding the necessity of movement, and moßt of the music was met with sympathetic action. The general opinion is one of pleasure that such a heavy undertaking was ventured and accomplished, it was audaciously conceived, carefully considered, and, admirably executed. > After the performance Mr aud Mrs Stansell very thoughtfnlly invited the performers to a supper, at which Mr Park, the Mayor of Palmerston was present. During the evening Mr Park thanked the performers for the effort they had made, and mentioned that the hospital was an institution in need, and deserving of assistance. He was pleased with the scenei'y. with the Binging and acting, With the music, and was surprised with the manner the opera had been rendered, which compared in favour of the performers* with the. production** of a sister township up' the const. We may add that this was also the honest opinion of the gentlemen who formed, a portion of the orchestra. It will uot do after so much pains have been bestowed to allow only one representation to be given. We think that another should be given in this town quickly, but at lower prices, when. a good house will readily Ifji '<fbtivined.' ! Then the surrpuntliug toWii-t-Kipifiiinoulcl be visited, as the oiitsid'6 visitors atfe*' bound to spread a satisfactory re/ port Of their visit.