"H.MS. PINAFORE."

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 73, 26 March 1881, Page 2

"H.MS. PINAFORE."

Tka Lydia Howarde Of era Bouffe ana Burlesque Company commenced a short season at the Theatre Royal last night. The opening piece chosen was Gilbert a ud Sullivan's satirical Opera, Ii.M.S. Pinafore, and, though it has been bo often played here before, a very goad house assembled to wituess its production* As Josephine, Miss Lydia Howarde, fully maintained the prestige she has earned in the colonies afc an actress of high merit. She waa in capital voice and particularly in the trio' " Never mind the why or wherefore" were her high acting powers fully brought into play. In Mdlle. De Glorian Little Buttercup found a very able representative, and she soon made herself a general favorite with the audience. The song in which she narrates tb,e mixing of the two babies was rendered admiraply and was certaibly one of the best of the evening. Miss Blanche Leopold looked very very piquant aa Hebe, but her voice has unfortunately a decidedly metallio ring which mars her precise and artistic singing. The role ot Midsbipmite was performed by Miss Nellie Glover (of Nelson) with an ease and grace ' very creditable in a child of her age. Mr Mowry looked well as Sir Joseph Porter, K.C.B. and appeared to be considerably impressed with' a sense of his own importance. If we are not mistaken he is the same gentleman who played Tiny Spurts so admirably in " The New Babylon," which was being run in Melbourne last winter. Of Mr Harry Power's Captain Corcoran the general opinion was that he looked every inch a captain. He has such wonderful command over his face that it is impossible not to enter into any part that he is taking. Though not possessed of a strong or a pleasing voice he uses what he has with great tact, and makes up for any deficiency on that score by his vigorous acting. Mr W. Hays, as Ralph Rackstraw, created a fairly favorable impression. He was slightly hoarse at the commencement of the piece, but that soon wore off. It might be advisable perhaps if he were to appear a trifle more dispirited and cast down in the early part of the opera. Dick Dead-eve never, of course, gets any sympathy, owing to his deformities and disposition, and Mr Starke, whose get-up and acting were both good, was bo exception to this rule. Mr George Leopold, as the boatswain, was, in slangy phraseology, simply " immense," and had only to look at the audience if be wished to send them into convulsions. The way In which he murdered the Queen'a English and refused to proceed with the hornpipe (which by the way he dances extremely well) without being oiled internally created roars of laughter, We have often seen the opera before, but think it would be difficult to find a more efficient boatswain. ' ' To-night " Robinson Crusoe "isto be produced, in which Miss Lydia Howarde takes the title role, ons in which it is said she revels, and wo kope the public will refute the statement that is generally made, that Saturday night U the worst theatre night in Nelson, by giving this deserving Company; a bumper house. As the plot of the new version of "Robinson Crusoe " may not be generally known we will briefly state it as follows : — The scene opens with a view of the . jettty 'at Hull, where Crusoe and his friend Jim Cocks, a tragedian out of luck, are about entering upon a voyage to recruit their chattered fortunes, and are taking a tearful farewell of their lovers, Polly Hopkins and Angelica, who bear the separation with becoming calmness. The next scene is the sacred grove of the ludians on the island on which Crusoe and Cocks have been wrecked j here they meet a lot o£ picturesque savages tracking two strange ladies, who turn out to be Polly Hopkins and Angelica, who have mysteriously reached the same island. On the discovery of Cocks by the Indians, he is at once made their king, with some remarkable ceremonies. Cocks for a long time supposes that his companion Crusoe is drowned, but eventually the two haye a joyful meeting, apd

Crusoe presents to bis friendß his man Friday, a colored person, who knows much of Magua Charta and the rights of British subjects. Meanwhile Polly Hopkins and Angelica are abducted by a band of pirates, and the second act shows their lair in the Bay of Palms. Crusoe and his,. party have tracked \the pirates, and they are tried for abduction ; Cocks being the judge. Friday the Jury, and Crusoe the advocate for the prosecution The trial is an amusing travestie, and the end of it all is that Crusoe and Cocks are united to their several lovers. The musical portion of the piece U, we believe, very pretty. Miss Howarde introducing some florid and difficult arias,