THEATRE ROYAL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2158, 18 February 1880, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

The Opera Bouffe and Comedy Company who have been so well billed during the past few days, opened at the Theatre Eoyal last evening. There was a moderate downstairs audience but it was evident that the patronage of play-goers was divided by the rival entertainment in another part of the town. It is also not improbable, that the indifferent quality of the musical performances that have for some time past been served out to the critical tastes of Timaru militated against the attendance. If this was the case the company has undoubtedly suffered for the sins of others and not their own. As purveyors to the popular appetite for amusement in its most pleasing garb they arc entitled to something more than a passing word of praise. Some of the most delightful entertainments rendered in the colonies have been contributed by Avhat arc known as “ One Horse Companies.” The present company is a small one, but it is little but good. Their entertainment is singularly varied; it contains a mixture of the grave and the gay, but the latter predominates with just sufficient of the sombre to relieve the laughter-provoking song and dialogue. AVe are assured that they have an extensive repertoire, and if last nights’ programme is a fair sample of the whole, their audiences are bound to grow through the agency of animated advertisements. The vocalists of the company, four in number, possess good A-oiccs, arc excellent actors, and have a keen appreciation of comedyunited Avith great A-ersatility. Qualities like these naturally adapt them for lyric efforts. Mdlle. Murielle has a voice of good compass, and of singular sweetness and melody. She sings Avithout apparent effort, her acting is pleasing and Auvacious, and she conveys the impression of an artiste, avlio is not only thoroughly at home in the characters she impersonates, but enjoys the delight she imparts to others. Tne cavatina, “ Toll me my heart,” rendered by her, was one of the gems of the evening. In the operetta, "The Eose of Auvergne,” she excelled as Fleurettc,” keeping the audience on the best of terms by her debounair deportment. Mr T. B. Browning’s Blacksmith Avas a meritorious impersonation. He gave a most graphic rendition of the character, and his realisation of the scenes, together Avith his vigorous rendition of the dialogue, contributed much to the success of the representation. In the duets and concerted music his fine powerful baritone Avas heard to great advantage. The Avell-knoAvn ballad, “The A’illage Blacksmith,” Avas sung by him with so much expression that it received quite a new charm. Late in the evening his rendition of “The Desert” evoked an enthusiastic encore, and in response lie sang “ AVrecked and Saved ” in a manner that fully deserved the Avarm approval elicited. Air C. H. Ci'oavthers, avlio is the oAvner of a good tenor voice, Avas evidently suffering from cold, but his representation of Alphonse, in the operetta, Avas exceeding creditable, Avhile his singing of “ Aly pretty Jane ” was very good. A duet from GirolleGiroll a, by Messrs CroAvthcrs and Btoavuing, Avas received Avith Avarm approval, as AA'as also a comic duct sustained by Aldlle Aluriell and Mr F. AV. Fisher. The last-named gentleman has a fund of sparkling humour, and his character sketches are exceedingly amusing. In song, dance, or dialogue he is equally good, and Ave need hardly say that Avith such qualifications he succeeded in Avinning for himself a huge share, not to say monopoly, of the applause. The entertainment —to the various details of Avhich our space Avill not ulloav ns to do justice—concluded Avith “ The Soldier’s Return,” a burlctta brimful of amusing situations, AAdiich, it is needless to say, Avcrc keenly relished. On the Avhole the performance Avas crisp, light, and agreeable, diversified Avith lights and shades, and combined good music (and aa'c must not forget to say that Mr AV. A. Juncker, as musical director, made his piano do everything but speak), Avith grotesque imagery and sparkling dialogue. This evening there Avill be a change of programme and, avc fully anticipate, a good house.