H.M.S. PINAFORE.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 985, 17 January 1883, Page 3

H.M.S. PINAFORE.

H.M.S. Pinafore was again performed by the Harmonic Society at their hall, last evening, to a somewhat meagre audience.. The wretched attendance accorded to caterers to public amusement ,in Patea is—to say the least—very discouraging. The piece, as .represented, was deserving of a generous measure of support. The stage appointments were suitable, and the dresses exceedingly well adapted; while the characters displayed an intelligence and appreciation of tlie author’s intentions that made the play throughout enjoyable. Amateur performers invariably fail to sustain their characters throughout;' at .some points all identity with the piece is lost, while, at others, the situation is grasped and mastered to the life. A notice-able:-feature, which contributed largely to the general success, was the lively ; filling in of the subordinate characters ; :had ;, this feature been neglected, several of the prominent parts of the leading characters -would have fallen flat. The Admiral looked and acted his part well, bis stately appearance and full sounding voice aiding in the result. His commanding voice in the scene, ordering Ralph to the dungeon, was superb. Josephine was charmingly acted ; the singing was clear and refreshing, and of a superior order. She possesses ah inate talent—suitable for operatic music and acting—which promises well for the future. The Captain’s song, “ Pair Moon,” was a failure, bnt his duet with Dick Deadeye was a redeeming feature, as was also the one with Buttercup. The Captain has undoubted ability, but—as Dick would say—his 1 voice is “ agi’n him.” There were gems visible from start to finish. In future the Admiral and Captain should set aside the eye-glasses; they are a mistake in unpractised hands. Ralph’s singing of bis part was very well done, but beyond this; he had no, idea of the character. Upon the consummation of all his hopes, when Sir Joseph hands him his bride, the emotional’ sentence “Oh joy, oh rapture,” he rendered very like “Mine’s brandy and soda.” The character represented was unemotional and expressionless in the extreme. Buttercup was the best representation on the stage,, and gave unmixed satisfaction. In the duet with Captain Corcoran, she was deservedly encored, while the proprietorship she exorcised over the Captain in the finale was intensely amusing. Hebe’s voice is, unfortunately, not sufficiently powerful, otherwise the character was a pleasing representation. She looked a fitting Companion for the great Admiral, and lorded -it over the Cousins and Aunts in good style, and displayed considerable vivacity throughout. 7 The part of the Boatswain fell into most suitable hands. The force and vigor thrown into this character materially helped the piece; through. Ability of no mean order characterised the part of Dick Deadeye. The get up was immense, and that shuffling dance in the duet was extremely amusing. Dick had mastered the author’s in tention, and showed that he had. His demonical hate in the scene, “ It was the cat,” was a fine piece of acting, and his despair at the baby farming . denouement equally so. Mean, contemptuous sneak, spy, all were pourtrayed faithfully. Boatswain’s J mate is a part in name only, yet the voice and acting clearly defined the character from the crew. The ladies and gentlemen of the Chorus performed their part very creditably. The musical conductor had a trying time; the despairing looks thrown towards him from soloists and chorus singers was at, times ludicrous. Evidence of careful teaching and repealed rehearsals was plainly noticeable. And although, amateur acting arid singing will defy the best music to keep pace, still there was little to find fault with. The opera was a pleasant and agreeable entertainment and reflected great credit ■ upon all concerned in it; We should like to see the new departure of the Harmonic Society kept up.