The Lyme Regis Choral and Operatic Society has added another to its list of successes by the performance of "H. M. S. Pinafore" (by permission of R. D'Oyly Carte) in the Drill Hall Theatre, Lyme Regis.
It was the third annual festival of this talented Society, of which His Worship, the Mayor (Mr. H. Ellis) is the president. The performances took place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday last, before large and appreciative audiences.
Mr. E. Brokenshire, the hon. conductor, who has recently taken on this position, brought the Society up to a high state of efficiency, and both the principals, chorus and orchestra responded to the baton in a manner which brought forth hearty congratulations to the Society for their splendid performances.
The part of the Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Porter was ably filled by Mr. Ewart Cuming, a well-known local amateur. His elocution, singing and dancing was delightful, and his appearance on the stage always brought forth an ovation from the audience. Captain Corcoran was allotted to Mr. F. G. Isbell, who acted his part with plenty of spirit, especially in his song "For I am a Captain of the Pinafore," an encore being demanded. Ralph Rackstraw was ably played by Mr. A. Bartlett, who possesses a fine tenor voice. He sang this difficult part with an ease and charm which was greatly enjoyed by the audiences, who were persistent with their encores. His acting was excellent. The trying part of Dick Deadeye was played by Mr. Chaffey in a manner which called forth rounds of applause from the audiences. The duet with Captain Corcoran was a very fine effort, and an encore was demanded. Bill Bobstay was allotted to Mr. Dobson, who did justice to the part, and was warmly applauded for his rendering, "For he is an Englishman."
Bob Beckett was undertaken by Mr. R. Baker, who possesses a fine bass voice, but had no chance of showing it to an advantage. What he had to do, however, he did well. The trio with Ralph, Bill Bobstay and Bob Beckett was excellent, and deserved the encore which the audiences so freely gave. Tom Tucker was in the hands of Master Wilfred Brokenshire.
Josephine was allotted to Miss Elsie Stretch, and the Society were very fortunate in finding such a gifted singer. The song in Act 2 demands much, but she came through with flying colours, and the audience showed their appreciation, bouquets being very numerous. Hebe was ably taken by Miss S. Foxwell, and she showed a distinct gift for operatic work, her acting being very fine indeed. Little Buttercup was taken by Mrs. P. A.Richards, who played the part excellently, truly Gilbertian. Her singing, acting and elocution was everything that could be desired.
The chorus this year has been better than ever, and there was plenty of life in the singing and acting. The finale in Act 1 was a very fine effort, the curtain going down with roars of applause from an enthusiastic audience.
The opera was staged by Mr. C. H. A. White, who worked hard, and took no end of pains to bring the principals and chorus up to such a high standard of excellence in their acting and movements on the stage.