MUSGROVS'S COMIC OPERA COMPANY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 202, 22 September 1903, Page 2

MUSGROVS'S COMIC OPERA COMPANY.

"THE FOR:UNU TJSLLKR," The Theatre Royal on Monday night (vai thronged with a brilliant and appnehtive Rodieuca tj witness the opening performance by the above company. The way in which "The Fortune Teller" was mounted and staged was beyond all praise, every derail of scenery, drepsei and ensemble being artistic in a high degree, while the chorus and ballet could not be better. An outline of the plot has already appeared in these columns, so that it is Only netwsiry to allride to 'ha manner in which the piece was purFormei. Sending out prominently m !he cast is the character of Handor. the Gipsy musiciai?, avd W» Pringle, • ho undertook ' his pirt,dld it thorough j'te ic-. Hw fine singing, commanding enc &!id sympathetic acting *von th i fnvsur of the audi 'nee at once all bis songs biing 1 mity applauded and encored. He hai a mag-j n'fi'-ent voice and knows how to use it! effectively, the re-ult being a great p'ea ure to the audience. Mr Foster Uourtenny as Boris gave a most amusing character sketch, his broken English and droll coining of words creating much amusement, while his by-play was inimitable, as was his make np, As Fresco, the ballet master, Mr Lauri was perfection, his comedy being most enjoyable, while his dancing was exes piionally clever. He is decidedly a great acquisition to the Company and shared with Mr Oourtenay the congenial task of raising hearty laughter. Mr Piddock as the Hussar Captain was not so suDceasful as was anticipated, but it was evident he was suffering from a cold. Mr Shirley gave an excellent account of himself as the Polish Count, his acting throughout being in thorough keeping with the part. There was plenty of scope for drollery and Mr Shirley made the most of his opportunities One of tbe cleverest pieces in the opera #.Va a trio, in which ilpssrS Ooiirtney, Shirley and Lauri to„'k part, and with the assistance of three chairs gave a vooal and motional performance which fairly roused the enthusiasm of the audience to a high pitch, an encore being insisted on. Mr Henry Hallam made a' very capable " General Korby," Iu the dual parts of Musetse and Inn"), Miss May Beatty scored a great 6ucc?ss t and met with a very cordial reception on her first entry on the stage. Full of vivacity and entering thoroughly into the spirit of both parts, she quite charmed the audience with her acting aud singing, though in the latter Bbe, in common with the other vocalists, was haavily handicapped by the excessive energy of the orchestra, who had entirely failed to guige the sizj aud acoustic properties of the building. Miss Beatty, however, gave a most pleasing, and intelligent performance, and elicited very hearty applau-e Miss Lilian Bianae, as Yaninka, was also very successful, as was also Mis* Lilian Green, as Mile. Pom-Pon. All the other parts were well represented, and altogether the performance wa.> one of the bes 1 ; seen on the New Plymouth stage.

TO-NIGHT, "THE SERENADE," The Auckland Herald in referring ti " The Serenade " which is to ba produced to night, anvs : -Some of 'he music of " The Serenade " is beautiful, most of it bright, much of it hauntingly bewitching. Many an air in it can bc Cfiught up and retained in the mind, whilst, on the other hand, a great ilea of the orchestration and coma mn >ir rises far above the commonpl ice. The second act is the gem of the work. Prom beginning to end its music idelightful, from a combined chorus of monks and convent girls - , to a s:irrinf> finilo. Mr Lempriere Pringla was well cast as the bandit-monk. His acting was vigorous and capable, whilst his vocal work was splendid. Miss May Beatty's vivacity and charm of manner made her part a piquant one. She sing admirably her solos, " Cupid and I," "In Fair Andalusia," etc. Mis? Lilian Boanas made a great deal of the role of Dolores. Her vocal work was especially good, notably in the lovely " Angalus " and in the serenade duet. Mr Edward Lauri as the Duke made a comical and a clever impersonation by sheer individuality. His eccentric dance in the last act was worth going a long way to see—exceedingly clever In the humorous song?, " The Funny Side of That" and " Woman, Lovely Woman," Mr Lauri was excellent, as also in the trio "Dreaming." Mr Foster Oourtanay played the really funny role of Gomez, with excruciating results.