A PIRATE INVASION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10045, 20 July 1910, Page 5

A PIRATE INVASION.

AT MASTERTON TOWN HALL.

Last evening a Wairarapa Age re- j porter was granted the privilege of ' witnessing the. final renearsal by the Masterton Operatic Society of the favourite and evergreen opera, "The Pirates of Penzance." Assiduous practice by the Society showed conclusively last evening to what perfection local talent can be brought, as the piece went with vim and accuracy from the rise to the fall of the curtain. The various solos,

choruses and the ensembles were, splendidly taken, the gestures and general stags business were tasteful a?id natural, and from the most critical critic there should be assured, ■whole-souled praise if to-night's performance equals expectations. A3 'Vraderr," Mr W. Jago is seen at his best, as it is his second ap« jiq \rancc-afire a lapaa o£ fourteen I— ni thL cfiaractdi*. Hte flne voice ar d n Uur.d histrionic talent*, are very w:U s'.vted to tha parr. His Miss Eilo:n Jago, in 4 "Mabel," j I'V.-q ;ally at home. She has a voice o? exception! ran,;e and power, and it is doubtful if such an exacting part co'Jld have b?eo allotted so suetesstuily to any other local singer. The audioes to night are In for a rara treai vlvh Mabel's number's alone. A genial and typical Pirate King is Air' W. Iggulder, whose appearance an 1 vocal powers well befit tha part. As "Kutb," Miss Cameron will afford unbounded pleasure to the most expectant opera lover, and she handles the most difficult and thankless part with praiseworthy

skill, ami imparts fall zist. into her 1 n>imber3. Mr Harry Flail displays markel talant in operatic work —a ; natural matter to such a vsteran •, cjmjdian -and he is unquestionably 1 a pattern "Major-General"' in "General Stanley's" part. Mr D. Walsh, j a g the redoubtable Sergeat.t o£ Po- j lice, should suit the public to a de- | grea. Last night he and his worthy ; poiica of lassar rank acted gand sang : tifperfection, especially in the beautiful ensemble with ihe lady members of the choru3. A piquant and nl-asing interpretation of Mrs A. DunisH's "Edith,'" Mrs H. M. Bod dington bein? also very acceptable as "Kate." The tuneful voice of Mr Bryce Clay son mid his free actiri" well entitle hitn to the part "Sam-

uel." Mr G. Gfay, who has been a keen and capab'e pilot both with the batnn and in stage managing, deserves the greatest credit for the general satisfactory position of the piece. The scenery is charming, music unexceptionable, and the "kaleidoscopic " aspect especially charming. Judging by the success of the final rehearsal there will bs few who witness the performance to-nmht who will not be eager to spend a second evening in hearing and seeing: the exquisitely tuneful onera. The booking for to-night, is stated to be somewhat of a record, which is a very encouraging matter to the Society.