THE LOYAL TROUPE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4185, 19 August 1874, Page 2

THE LOYAL TROUPE.

Notwithstanding the rain in the early part o£ Monday evening, there was a large attendance at the Theatre Royal, to witness the opening *■- performance of Loyal's Combination Troupe ; the pit and stalls being crowded, and the dress circle well filled. The prices of a'dmission are very reasonable, and the public certainly gett full value for their money, for, on the whole, the conjpany afford an excellent entertainment. As a commencement, a serio-comic song by Mr. George Turner was well sung and well, received by the audience, and when the same gentleman followed with "Nora Darling," he effected a most agreeable surprise. Mr. Turner has a falsetto voice of rare excellence, which affords a marked contrast to the generality of such voices, in being musical as a solo; it is of great strength, yet the highest notes have no harshness, and, to add to the effect, the possessor sings sentimental songs with considerable expression and taste. ' So much cannot be said of his comic singing. His descriptive song, "Down by the Old Mill Stream" was fairly rendered, and would j probably have fallen as pleasantly on the ear I had it been sung as it is written—with only a certain number of H's. The question of .improvement by the alteration is open to doubt. The dancing of Miss Lizzie Shapter and Mr. McLean together was admirable, especially in the Barley Shoe dance. • The lady is evidently a clever and elegant dancer ; but the orchestra seemed fully determined that she should not by any chance have an opportunity. of displaying her excellence, for they played neither time nor music when she was dancing alone. On " the ladder of life," and the treble trapeze, Mademoiselle Zuila and Messrs. Loyal and Verletti perform most daring and wonderful ■•■' feats (which hold the spectators in breathless suspense) with a style and finish unsurpassed. No matter how complicated an act they go through,. the three resume their positions at precisely the Bame instant with an ease and grace that add considerably to the effect. The broadsword combat between Miss Shapter and Mr. McLean can scarcely be pronounced a success, but it gave evidence of a quick eye and a supple and strong wrist being possessed by the lady. As horizontal bar performers, Messrs. Loyal and Verletti have long held the premier position in Australia, and their performance is an exhibition of wonderful agility and strength, combined with graceful style. With respect to the comic songs of Master McLean little can be said. The performances of a child-wonder invariably take well with the public, and the younger it is ; the greater is the attraction supposed to be; but there is a limit to this sort of business, and the effect is altogether spoiled if a child is brought upon the stage before it can be taught the business. Master McLean certainly contorts his bo'dy in a very laughable manner, but as a vocalist he is altogether too young. Mademoiselle Zuila is very aptly and justly pronounced in the bills " The Ethereal Queen," for her gigantic flights and somersault acts, assisted by Messrs. Loyal and Verletti, displayed an amount of fearlessness and nerve which fairly earn for her the title. It has been correctly remarked that her performances are more wonderful and daring than those of any of the female gymnasts that have been before the public of the Colonies, and she is decidedly the most graceful.' Her success is assisted 'by a pretty face and a model of a figure. On the completion of the great sensation act on Monday night the audience actually rose and cheered her in a most enthusiastic manner. Altogether, the entertainment is a pleasant and clever one, well worthy of the patronage of the public. There was a good house last evening, when the performance went more smoothly, and with less loss of time than on the previous night. The programme was almost the same, only a few beneficial alterations being made. Mr. Turner, in sentimental songs, with his really fine falsetto voice, improves on acquaintance. Although it is very evident that comic singing is not Ida forte, he does his best to please his audience. The song "Kiss me mother ere I die" was nicely given, and met with a well deserved recognition. The performance on the "ladder of life," and the treble trapeze by Mdme. Zuila and Messrs. Loyal and Verletti were repeated, with the immense success they achieved on the first night. Miss Shapter's dancing is good, and not in the least " vulgar.'' The Army and Navy dance was cleverly executed by Mr. McLean, who is a perfect adept in his profession. The final act by Zuila, LoyaL and Verletti, is a marvellously daringaud startling exhibition of flights and somersaults in mid-air, executed with an elegance and ease which set all fears at rest.