THE LYDIA HOWARDE TROUPE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1350, 24 February 1881, Page 2

THE LYDIA HOWARDE TROUPE.

The members of this talented troupe appeared for the first time in Hamilton, at the Oddfellows' Hall, on Tuesday night. The attendance was much thinner than the excellence of the entertainment deserved, though this was no doubt to be accounted for partly by the circumstance of the notice being very short. The piece selected for the opening night was Colville's extravaganza, "Robinson Crusoe." Unfortunately no time was allowed to erect the appropriate scenery which the Company had brought with them, and the performance in consequence lost something of the effect which belongs to it. The extravaganza abounds in puns and funnyisms, and gives plenty of scope for the exercise of the special talents of the Company in comic singing and burlesque acting. The title role was ably sustained by Miss Howarde, who sang several songs in her usual finished style. In particular, the singing of the aria, "Sing on, Sweet Bird," was much admired, the execution being perfect. Mr Leopold, in the part of the broken-down actor, Jem Cocks, was grand, his get-up and acting fairly bringing down the house. Mdlle. De Glorian acted piquantly as Angelica, and the other lady parts were admirably sustained. But perhaps the character which gave most genuine delight to the audience was the "Friday" of Mr Power. As a bit of comic character-acting, nothing could well be better. The whole of the subsidiary parts were well filled. Last night the company appeared in H. J. Byron's popular extravaganza, " Ivanhoe," and scored a much bigger success than on the previous night. The piece was well acted throughout, and the singing was really excellent. From the rise to the fall of the curtain, the audience was kept in the highest good humor. Tonight the company appear for the last time in Hamilton, in Gilbert and Sullivan's now famous comic opera, "H. M. Pinafore," with all the scenery and accessories appropriate. "Pinafore" has never before been played in Hamilton and the opportunity now presented should not be lost. Of the version given by the Lydia Howarde troupe, the Thames Star speaks as follows: — "Last evening Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera "H.M.S. Pinafore "was produced at the Academy of Music. It was placed upon the stage in a manner entirely different from the numerous representations hitherto presented in New Zealand, and was after the style of the Williamsons mode of production, Miss Lydia Howarde sustained the part of Josephine, and her magnificent voice was heard to advantage in the pretty arias incidental to her part. She threw into her pact all her energy, and showed unnristakeably that fthe was a thorough adept in this species of acting. Mdlle. Lolo de Glorian made an excellent Buttercup. Miss Blanche Leopold, as Hebe, was good. She has a good voice, ia a fir->t clas3 actress, and is a great acquisition to the company. "Sir Joseph" was ably impersonated r>y Mr B. Mowry. Mr Leopold, sustained the part of Boatswain, Mr Power that of tin gallant Captain Corcoran, and Mr Starke made an excellent Dick Dpadeye. The pei formance was an excellent one. The arias, dueta, and choruses were all rendered in a highly artistic manner.' 1 The Hamilton Amateur Band have kindly consented to play a few selections during the evening. To-morrow evening the Company open at the Public Hall Cambridge for a. short season.