“Criterion Theatre.”

The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, July 30, 1892, p. 727.

This popular theatre was crowded on Wednesday last: the attraction being a new comic opera in three acts, entitled Haste to the Wedding, the plot arranged from a comedy produced some years back at Mr. Toole’s Theatre. The original work has been remodeled if not greatly improved by its gifted author, Mr. W.S. Gilbert, and his well-known skill as a writer of comical lyrics is again displayed. He has found a painstaking helper in Mr. George Grossmith, who has set his colleague’s verses to music fairly in character with the rhymes. The plot is founded on the comedy Un Chapeau de Paille d’ Italie, which had a long run at Paris, and Mr. Gilbert has remodeled the French comedy to such an extent that it may be regarded as, virtually, his own work.

There is no elaborate plot in the new opera, but Mr. Gilbert has furnished a number of amusing situations, arising from the loss of a Leghorn hat, which has been crushed by the horse of Mr. “Woodpecker Tapping” (Mr. Wyatt), on the morning fixed for his marriage to “Maria Maguire” (Miss Studholme), daughter of a vulgar but prosperous market gardener (Mr. Lionel Brough), who is determined that his daughter shall be married in a Leghorn hat, or not at all. Woodpecker’s horse plays havoc with the Leghorn hat his master has in his charge, and in search of a new Leghorn hat he goes through several unpleasant ordeals. To give full particulars of the plot would occupy more space than we can spare for such a purpose, and it must suffice to say that all ends well with the faithful lovers.

Mr. Gilbert has provided a number of comical situations, and Mr. Grossmith has furnished unpretentious but tuneful melodies. Amongst these may be mentioned Woodpecker’s song “Maria is Simple,” and “From the Marchionesses,” [sic] Bella’s still more charming ballads, “Politeness and Good taste,” “A Friend’s Umbrella,” the Duke’s capital song, “Oh Butcher! Oh Baker!” (encored) and Bunthunder’s still more attractive song, “The Order of the Bath” (also encored). Mr. Lionel Brough’s songs are appropriate and characteristic, but not very interesting. The duet “Sly Dog!” sung by Woodpecker and Bunthunder, is worthy of praise. The artists above-mentioned did their work well, and were deservedly applauded. To single any one of them for special praise might appear unjust to others, or we should be disposed to dwell on the energetic and excellent performance of Mr. Wyatt, and also to congratulate Mr. George Grossmith, junior, on his success in the character of the half-simple Cousin Foodle.

Transcribed by Arthur Robinson

Page modified 27 December 2020