Cary's Opera Company.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1020, 7 January 1882, Page 2

Cary's Opera Company.

To the theatre-going portion of this community there is a treat in store. The Cary Juvenile Opera Company are about to visit Gisborne. Mr R. W. Cary, with his usual indefatigability, has succeeded in getting together * J uvenile Troupe of Operatic Singers. We will see, therefore, in Gisborne, in a day or two, the “ Pirates of Penzance ’ performed by what is known as “Cary’s Baby Opera Company.” The success that has attended Mr Cary in all the similar enterprises, and the hold he has on public favor, are a quite sufficient guarantee that the people of Gisborne have a treat in store for them, that they will not fail to appreciate. In all parte of the Colony visited by Mr Cary, the Press have spoken in the highest terms of praise of the ability evinced by his Company. The New Zealand Times says : — Herve's comic opera, as rendered by Mr R. W. Cary's Juvenile Troupe, may be well described as a new sensation in theatrical experience. The

little folk* who did M> veil ic " Pinefore ” have, under careful tuition, eateyed a higher flight, and, although the attempt has been an ambitious one, they have achieved a measure of success which few anticipated. It would savor too much of indiscriminate praise to say that they tendered this vivacious operain strict accordance with ordinary conceptions, and stage manners and customs, but they gave a rendition all their own — original, pretty, and thoroughly enjoyable. If points in dialogue were missed, and equivoque disregarded, there were at least many compensating features in the unexpected business introduced, and the innocency, freshness, and thorough pleasure of the entire performance. To the youngsters engaged therein it was a gala play, to the spectators a jolly evening’s amusement. We scarcely know how to criticise, for ordinary dramatic canons will not apply. “ Chilperic,” as played by regular professionals, depends as much npon the “ go ” and espieglirie in dialogue and “ chic ” action, as on the perfection of the vocalisation introduced. The little folks, knowing nothing of conventional stageisms, invented “business” of their own, which eclipsed in its unexpected effects the studied efforts of mature and stageworn artistes. “ Chilperic ” in its various renditions has been too often debased, and turned into unmitigated burlesque. We can sincerely congratulate Mr Cary on avoiding any tendency in such direction in the training of his youthful pupils. Propriety is well observed, and yet none of the legitimately-attractive adjuncts of a stage performance are omitted. Concerning the vocalisation of the youthful troupe, much may be said in its praise—they have conquered difficulties which even practised vocalists have found trouble in; the choruses, albeit, now and then, a little out of tune and too vigorous, are well rendered, and in the concerted pieces the young voices blend harmoniously. We shall not on this, the first occasion, particularise the performance of each leading member of the company, because we feel assured that on the second and succeeding performances any defects apparent on a first night will have passed away, but we may say that little Lena Robinson as “ Chilperic,” is a marvel of inherent histrionic talent, fairly astonishing those who have watched, step by step, her short career on the boards. There is a great future before this clever little lady under favoring auspices. Young Willie Cary, as Dr. Senne, proves himself a worthy chip of the paternal block. The piece is well mounted, the dresses rich in coloring and in excellent taste; c