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"La Mascotte."

BY THE NEW PLYMOUTH AMATEURS. Gorgeous dressing, capital chorus work, line orchestral music, and pretty dancing wens the most pleasing features of the opera '''La Mascotte," produced in the Theatre Hoyal last by the New Plymouth Amateur Ojiera Club. The favourable impression on these points was to a large extent elfuced by Hie \ery first uet (the fault of the piece, perhaps), stillness in .".onie of the actors in the leading parts, lack of quality in several oi the solos, faulty enunciation ami pronunciation in the dialogue, more particularly in the early part of the evening, and a disposition on the part of some of the performers to talk amongst themselves rather than to j the audience, many parts boing almost inaudible in the dress elide. Of course, the public did not expect a performance as highly finished as that of a first-class touring combination, but elocution should at any rate 'lie made of first importance. "Lai Mascotte" is not a very attractive opera until the second act has been played übout half through. The plot is simple. A peusant, I{occo', procured from liisi brother a servingmaiden .to whom were attributed the virtues of «. mascotte, bringing prosperity to the house where she lived. She became attached to Hocco's shepherd, Pippo. Before tfocco had derived any benelit from the mascotte (by name Hettina) the secret was discovered and appropriated by the Duke of Pimpino, who took the B»rl to court and admitted her as a mem'ber of royalty. The duke's daughter, Princess Eiamettu, betrothed to one Piinse Fritcllini, li.\J«l her allections on J'ippo, „ n d confusion reigned. Hettina and Pippo arranged to elope, but were separated, and Pippo prepared to marry the 1 iineess, whilst the duke singled out Hettina as his bride. Eventually true We conquered, and Pippo and Bettina were wedded after much tribulation ami trial. Meantime the mascotte had been stolen in war from the old duke, who was thus reduced to poverty, and with his daughter traversed ,Uie country as a strolling musician. Miss Teed assumed the role of Hettina, the mascotte, and infused Into the part the lively si>int that was contemplated by the writer, her dialogue, vocal work, and acting being really good, whether in light or serious vein. Her txsrt solo was "Hands oil, You Saucy Creatures," in the first act, which caused much amusement, her "business" being good. One of the best, numbers was the duet " (Hoof Gloo," with Mr liowe (Pippo), this item being loudly applauded. Mr J. H. Howe, as Pippo, had a very full part, but was not seen or heard to any great advantage until the latter portion of the second act, though he was good in the third. His vocal numbers did not suit him at all, his first, "The Mascotte," being almost unintelligible. He was much better la. his duets with Miss Teed, and in his second solo, "The Saultraul," in the opening of the second act. His enunciation was imperfect. Miss K. Murphy played «n excellent part as Prince Fritellini, and made a lareinatmg young Crown Prince, too. To hoi- was entrusted the gem of the opera, "Love is Blind," and this was splendidly rendered, a recall being demanded. In this item her euuneir ation was good, every word being distinctly heard. Not so in her other vocal work, however, the words being indistinct. The other soloist was Mr E. Clarke (Parapaate, a sergeant),, but his number " The VVine Song" was not given with sufficient force, and was hai-dly heard. As Fiametta Miss Irvin was good, acting with a commendable amount of vivacity throughout, her dancing in the third act being good, and all nor work carefully trented. As Rocco, Mr de la Haye was not in good form, much of his dialogue being lost in tlw wings. At times he rose 'to the occasion, notably immediately after his promotion to high rank, and when he "sat on the tack." RiKir. gaily-attired pages, Misses M. 'Treeby, O. O'Brien, Buxton and Hooper, contributed some good turaa, more especially "The Letter" quartette, in ?whdch Miss Treoby's (i^th.^iwilto-voice was heard to nwoh: and the item was encbrecl. The dancing girls, Misses K. Clarke, A. Brewster and I). Bedford, were exceptionally good, the last-named djJtfrg a good turn early id the second-net, her movements being very grateful. The comic element was in the hands of Mr C. V. Binnington, who took the nrrt of tho eccentric Duke of Pimpino. His principal' solo was "Superstitions,'' ftjjd this was a good item. As a .fti&producer, however, he displayed ■'*!.' Sameness" throughout, being particularly devoid of variety in his facial expressions. His antics caused a good deal of merriment, but the audience was slow to respond to his local "gags," some of which were good. This performer would do well to use a little more lung power, as jokes are very much more appreciated when they are heard. Taken altogether his performance was fair. Tho other parts, Mattoo, a publican (Mr E. Gilmour), a Bohemian (Mr Bruce), and tho other parts of soldiers, Bohemians, and peasants were filled to the full strength of the club. An item that calls for especial mpntiqn wa,<i "The Amazons' March," by a regiment of \oung ladies, of lino military bearing 'J he various movements were eti.vuted in good time and with a yrecis'on that reflected the greatest credit on Mr J. B. Stoylc, who was responsible for the introduction of mis lle in The .hunting chorus, too, the fmale of the first act, was splen.lMfy sung • in fact this may be said of all thi' chorus work, the voices being fresh and well balanced, ftW j e parts showing out well, The scenery and ««»'!« (fleets were good, 'llle orchestra, under Mr W. Perry's guidance played excellent ovortuies and incidental music. whin J"-* 0 Wi " b8 sttt «* l t<H>iKht. when it is expected that tho performers will acquit Microsomia well having recovered from any shvness or stage fright that may h«c& eu them last evening.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19040804.2.12

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 181, 4 August 1904, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
998

"La Mascotte." Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 181, 4 August 1904, Page 2

"La Mascotte." Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 181, 4 August 1904, Page 2

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