ENGLISH NEWS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 832, 29 July 1881, Page 2

ENGLISH NEWS.

London, July 28. New Zealand five per cent. 10-40 Loan has fallen to 104^, TOWN HALL, MASTERTON. ROBINSON CRUSOE. The Lydia Howarde Company, now on 1 a viaii to the Wairarapa, opened at the Town Hall last evening to a good house* salecting Oolville's extravaganza of Robinson Crusoe for the piece de resistance, Of the piece itself we can say but little. It is neither a parody on De' Foe's wellknown tale, nor is it altogether original, but the singing introduced into it, and the jokes put in the mouth of the reduced actor and man Friday, combined with the excellent acting of fchecompany (each member of which has an established reputation), amply made up for shortcomings in the plot, and the audience were kept laughing nearly the whole of the evening. Their local hits were very, successful, Miss Lydia Howard plnyed the role of Robinson Crusoe, and a solo pretty well known to all of us by this time, " Nancy Lee" was admirably rendered by her in the first act, but was surpassed by that sweetest of Ganz's sweet melodies," Sing Sweet Bird" in the second act, which was admirably suited to the fair artiste's voice, and served to display its fullness and thorough training to the echo. Both songs received an encore. Jem Clocks JUt Fisher) in the first act sooured an 'encore with " Broken Down," and in the second a cleverly sung parody on the "Flower Girl," with a potato for the Shamrock, a bowl of porridge for the Thistle, and a round of beef instead of the Rose, brought down the house. The " Ding Dong" chorus, from ''Les Cloches de Corneville," also obtained an imperative call, Mdme de Glorian as Angelica acted, with great vivacity throughout, her opening sor.g securing an enthusiastic enqore Miss Andrews as Polly Hop; kins and Mr Hayes as Gig made the best of somewhat subordinate paris. The trial by jury Bcene much amusement, arid concluded the first'part of the entertainment,

The piece presented for the finale was "The Jolly Young Waterman," and Dibdin's fine 'old, ditties, "The Jolly Young ; Wafermau, 1 ' trip " Trini-'built Wherry," and the " Bay of Bjspay" were done justice to by Miss Howard as Tom Tug, and Miss R. Andrews as Mrs Bundle the virago, Harry Power as Mr Bundle, the easy-going old man, Wilhelminatho daughter (Miss Jennie Nye), and Robin, her second lover (Mr Fisher) were equally successful in their respective parts, and received frequent applause. The dressing of the first piece was very good, and if the original Robinson Crusoe bore anything like the fascinating appearance that Mi«s Howard did in the latter portion of the play, no wonder man Friday was attracted, and fell at Crusoe's feet and worshipped, The musical portion qf the entertainment was provided by IJ> W, G. Hydes, in a very masterly style: The piece for thir evening is ''jl Trovatore," a wellknown burlesque, which will no doubt receive full, justice, at the hands,. of ■ the present company., ~,... ;';...

:, The company play onthe return journey at Carterton on Monday next, Greytown on Tuesday; and Featheraton on Wednesday. ■■-■ ..■ : iV : i;. '.' i j : ; . R\\U;