THE JUVENILE PINAFORE COMPANY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1241, 8 January 1883, Page 2

THE JUVENILE PINAFORE COMPANY.

Tins Company will open on Saturday next for a season of live nights at Messrs Parnell and Boylan s hall in the comic opera of Les Cloches de Corneville or the Chimes of Normanby. All the papers where this clever company of Juveniles have played, speak very highly of the little folks. In writing of their performance of H.M.S. Pinafore a Melbourne paper thus notices the company : —This company opened on Thursday night to a crowded house, and the audience showed that they fully appreciated the excellent performing of the children, if wc may judge by the hearty outbursts of applause which frequently greeted the efforts of the juveniles. After the performance there was one general opinion only, and that was that it was splendid and a pronounced success. There seemed to be something really ■ wonderful in the manner in which the i fresh young voices of the performers . filled such a large hall with such ex- j eellent effect. The rendition of the well-known operatic satire, “ H M.S. ' Pinafore,” on Thursday night gave an > excellent idea of the singing and artis- t tic capabilities of the children under ; Mr Stanley’s charge ; and it is not i difficult to imagine the regular cra::e they excited in Melbourne amongst i the habitues of the Bijou Theatre. The part of Sir Joseph Porter, K,C. 8., was undertaken by Miss Dolly Inman, j and it is doubtful if any of the leading I stars amongst the seniors have ever played this part with greater skill than , did this little child of seven years of age. Her singing was splendid, .and the applause at the conclusion of the song in which the Admiral relates the means by which he became “ K C. B , the Ruler of the Queen’s Navec ” was really immense. Captain Corcoran was played by Miss Beatrice Holmes. Miss Amelia Hodge performed the part of Kalph Rackstraw, the nominal I hero of the piece ; and it is not too! much praise to the young lady to say ■ that she was as perfect in her part as even Armes Beaumont himself, and it is doubtful if even that accomplished star has ever received such really genuine applause as greeted the singing and acting of Miss Hodge. The Hornpipe between her and Little Buttercup was splendidly danced, and the plaudits which followed showed the approbation of the audience. Her clear fresh voice was heard to great advantage, and elicited frequent applause. Master Jackson was Boatswain, and Master Alfred Capper was Dick Deadeye. The by-play of these two provoked hearty laughter amongst the audience, and as this was their j office it is needless to say they per- j formedit. The difficult part of Josephine was essayed by Miss I'lora Graupner. This young lady possesses a splendid, clear, aud powerful voice, with very distinct enunciation ; and she gave excellent effect to the rare gift which she possesses. She lias evident! v great histrionic ability, and is certainly the prettiest Josephine wo i

have vet seen. Miss Amy Childs to -k the part of the old Portsmouth bu nboat woman. Little Buttercup, with great effect, her singing being of a

very high -order indeed, and her acting equally 'good. The minor parts Were all we'.’i taken, the choruses Well sung, and as a whole the performance must be, described as being a thorough and ( genuine success, and one which must be seen to be appreciated in the manner in which it deServes. The children comprising the Juvenile Opera Bouffe Company are not neglected during their travels in the Matter of education, as Mr Stanley is accompanied by two teachers, and school hours and a sound course of tuition are as rigidly observed as if the children Were living at their own homos. This excellent system speaks volumes for the care which Mr Stanley bestows on his young charges. In other papers throughout the Colony we read of the unqualified success of this Company, both in the I Pinafore and Les Cloches de Corne ville. We would refer our readers to the advertisement showing the number of weeks played by the company in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide. They are now making a grand farewell tour of the Colonies. We wish Messrs Stanley and Darbyshire every success on the appearance of the children in Gisborne, and we trust it may ] prove that the lessee, Mr Sam Steven* son, will be duly rewarded for his eni terprise.