Seymour-Walshe Opera Co.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3405, 9 January 1890, Page 2

Seymour-Walshe Opera Co.

Ix spilo of the wretched weather thero was a capital bouse at the initial performance of' this company at the theatre last night, the bost seats boing particularly well filled. Tho piece played was Balfe's beautiful opera "The Bohemian Girl," Miss Florence Seymour in the title vols fully sustained the.character, and worked enthusiastically and successfully. She s?.ng " I-dreamt I dwelt" and "Home, Sweet Home," in a finished manner, despite the fact of having only just como off a long- and tedious railway journey.: Miss Ethel Maokay was capital ■ as the Gipsy Queen, wljile Miss Amy Watson, Mies Bfoxom, Miss Orofts, and Miss Va'ugban were equally good iii theil* respective parts, In the mala characters, honors ' were 1 pretty'. equally divided, everyone playing their part with credit. Mr, Walslie acted and sang the part , of Thaddeus to perfection, enthusiastic applause following his singing, of " When other lips'' and ('■Tlje fair land of Poland,": Mr Fred England as' 'the Gipsy;played with a deal of hiiiiioivllie tony

business not' being .overdone,' as -it geuerally.is in thischaracter, his grand voice was heard to advantage in all' the concerted music.' Messrs Pollard, Sceats, and Erskine Scott filled' the other parts. Mr Siieats, rendering of "The heart bowed down" was particularly good, j The parts were all characteristically I dressed, and the performance was a vory enjoyable one. ■, To-night the intensely funny.opera Goroflo Gerofla will be put on, Miss Seymour taking the dual part of the twin sisters, Mr Walsho that of Marasquin, and Mr Fred England the amusing character of the Moor, a part in which he fairly revels and has Ins audience laughing '• from the jump." We have no doubt there will be a large attendance at this comic opera.

GIROFLE-GIROFLA. Tho Seymour-Walsh? Company will produce this opera at the Theatre Royal to-night. Referring to ;the > opera as given by the Company at Napier, the Horald says:—Tho production'by tho Seymcur-W'alshe Company of LeCocq's sparkling comio opera, " Girofle-Girofla" proved a striking success. The opera went with great spirit from beginning to end, and bo highly' did tho audience appreciate the performance that they endeavoured to seoure a repetition of most of the items, and the curtain had to go up again after each act. So excellent an actress and charming n vocalist as Miss Florenco Seymour can be depended upon to. give an artistic reading of any part, and the strong vein of humour which she possesses had' abundant, scope for manifestation in the part—or parts—of Qirofle and Girofla, the twin sisters. In the various scenes with the two husbands she created no en.l of fun by the archness and vivacity of her' acting, aud tho pretty melodies with which the opera' abounds woro very sweetly sung, Her first solo " Dearest Papa," the delightful air which subsequently forms a leading theme, was much enjoyed, aud the rollicking and tuneful drinking song, "See how it Sparkles," was so takingly sung that the audience insistod on its-repetition. Mr W. Walshe, as Marasquin, sang themusio with" his customary finish and musical spirit, and his acting displayed much humour. It was consistent and excellent throughout, Mr England's make-up as Mourzouk, the amorous and ferocious Moor, was perfect,' To look upon him was enough to provoke laughter, and he consistently maintained the oharactei ,in every scone, croating great fun, Mr T. Pollard, always remarkable for the excellence of his make-up, afforded another instance of this characteristic in his Bolero, and he acted well as the much badgored "head of the house." Miss Ethel Mackay appeared as Pedro, She acted with great-spirit, and sang her music well, a fine solo, " How the Pirates Live," falling to her lot, "Miss Ada Moxonwasan awe-inspiring shrew 1 as Aurora, and both Mr Reed and 1 Miss-Watson appeared to advantage 1 as tho Pirate Cliiof and Paquita, Altogether it was a very complete < production, and in the opinion of most of tho audience the greatest success 1 of the season. ■