Lydia Howards Troupe.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 915, 5 February 1881, Page 4

Lydia Howards Troupe.

This excellent, all round, company, gave a third performance on Wednesday evening last to a large and thoroughly appreciative audience, when the burlesque of “ Nemesis ” was put on the boards, making the third occasion on which good houses have responded to the call. Notwithstanding its many varied attractions “ Nemesis ” failed to create that enthusiasm in the audience that “ Ivanhoe,” did. The first act fell terribly flat: there was no life nor animation on the si age, and when that is the case the effect is sure to be communicated to the auditorium. The singing, too, was with one or two exceptions ’painfully imperfect, notably Mr. Moury’s duet “ Oh, how I love you,” with Miss Howarde. The prima donna, however made up for this in Bishop’s brilliant aria “ Bid me Discourse,” in which she responded to an encore. Mr. Leopold had not a large part allotted to him; but, as “M Rotiphar de “ a f ;oc he, ’ h® made the most of it, so also did Mr Harry Power (as “ Roland ”) get up was immense. On a larger

stage, and. with, more conveniences, many of the scenes might be produced with better effect, but that between Messrs Leopold and Power, one on each side of a garden wall, pelting each other with garden missiles, was provocative of much genuine fun, and must be witnessed to be appreciated. Miss Howarde as “ Rosalie,” and Miss de Glorian as “ Pauline ” enacted the quarrel scene from “Madame Angot ” in a truly artistic style, and proved one of the most finished and well-received portions of the entertainment. The other characters were all reputably sustained, but called for no special remark. During the evening Miss Lydia Howarde and Miss de Glorian, were marked as special favorites by the reception of bouquets. On Thursday night, the long-looked for “ Pinafore ” was produced, before the largest audience ever gathered together in Gisborne. The reserve five shilling seats were crowded, chairs having to be got from all parts of the town to provide sitting accommodation, of these there were 160 booked before the evening, besides a large number in the back three shilling seats. The gallery was also closely packed, notwithstanding the price being raised to two shillings ; in fact when we say that there was near a £IOO house on the occasion it will be understood that no company visiting Gisborne has achieved the same amount of popularity since the days of Joe Emmett.

Considering the circumscribed stage accommodation, “ Pinafore ” was very creditably mounted; the ship scene is the property of the company, and added greatly to the effect required in maritime representations. Mr Shepperson, the invaluable agent, incurred a deal of extra expense in the scenic department, which he was not bound to do, in order that success might be secured. Taking a general survey of the piece, as played on Thursday night, it was pleasing enough; the acting and by-pl ay were good, and these saved it, for the singing, except in some of the choruses, and the ladies’ vocalization, was not up to the mark. And here, again, the gentlemen were at fault, Mr Starke, and Mr Leopold what little they had to do being the only ones fitted for the occasion. Mr Hayes’ duets with Miss Lydia Howarde were simply — well, much below the average, and it was painful to witness the lady’s situation, in being allied to a voice that could not support her. Miss Howarde’s “Josephine” appeared to be all that was desired, as far as she was concerned ; she acted the part well and sang with that clear and impassioned pronunciation so pleasingly characteristic of her. Mdlle de Glorian represented the lively little 41 Buttercup, 11 with due appreciation of her part; and Miss Leopold acquitted herself creditably as Hebe. Mr Power found no congenial occupation in representing “ Captain Corcoran, 1 ’ (at any rate so far as singing was concerned), and the “ Sir Joseph Porter’ 1 of Mr Mowrv was, though a trifle better, only indifferently shuffled through. Amongst the fo’castle hands, of course the “ Bill Bobstay ” of Mr G. Leopold was the ne plus ultra of acting. He looked, sang, said, and acted the character, with only that amount of exaggeration in it necessary for comic opera. Mr Hydes accompanied on the piano and conducted the performance throughout. The “Pinafore” is one of those representations which require seeing more than once to appreciate thoroughly; and we can well understand that if the whole company were equal to its requirements, it is capable of having a long run on any one stage. The company did not perform last evening; but will re-produce “ Pinafore” to-night, in McFarlane’s Hall, at reduced prices.