JUVENILE PIRATES.

Observer, Volume 3, Issue 72, 28 January 1882, Page 308

JUVENILE PIRATES.

Perhaps if we had never seen the Pollards in Auckland or the children's " Pinafore " in London we might have enjoyed the performance of Mr Cary's Juvenile "Pirates" on Monday evening last. Truth, liowever, compels us to state that (setting aside little Willie Gary and one or two other principals Avho arc really clever children) the representation was a semi-failure. In the first place the " Pirates of Penzance " docs not lend itself -at all well to juvenile representation. The music is more difficult than " Pinafore," and depends greatly for success on the happy blending of the various kinds of voices. This naturally is an impossibility with children who, from first to last, sing in unison, One or two of the principals of Cary's company deserve special commendation. If the troupe cannot boast an Osmond, a Sallinger, or a Maud Pollard, it has at least a star of considerable magnitude m little Willie Cary, who gave " I am a Pirate King," with immense spirit. Lena Robinson's voice does not seem to havo either strengthened or improved since she left the Pollards. The little lady (who met with a cordial reception on Monday evening) aefs with infinite spirit and chic, but her singing was spasmodic, aud gave one the impression that she had been overworked. Young Williams, who takes tho part of Frederick, has an extraordinary organ. It is almost a tenor, and though quite a boy he manages it very cleverly indeed, and acts fairly also. The Major-Greneral and Miss Schlinker (Ruth) must not be passed over without praise, though why the latter's nice little face should be smeared over with a lot of. dirty black stripes Aye arc wholly at a loss to conceive. They don't make her appear old, in fact (from the back of the circle) they look just what they are — smudges of dirt. The juvenile sergeant created considerable laughter, and altogether the children were warmly received. They are, however, a very different set from Pollard's. The chorus boys and girls have a common look, and give one tlie idea of having been picked up haphazard. -