The Preston Guardian etc (Preston, England), Saturday, September 8, 1883; Issue 3678.

Mr. D'Oyly Carte's companies have, perhaps, done more to popularise the opera in the provinces than any other company in existence. Their tours through provincial towns have been numerous and frequent, and Mr. D'Oyly Carte's name is a household word with all theatre-goers. The company that has been performing Mr. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan's æsthetic opera "Patience," at the Theatre Royal this week, have fully sustained the ability and popularity of their predecessors. Every individual member of the company is fully conversant with his or her part, and the piece runs smoothly from beginning to end. We are glad to observe that the theatre has been so liberally patronised, as Mr. Ramsey, the enterprising and popular lessee, deserves to be for his pluck in beginning such excellent artistes to Preston.

The mounting of the piece is exceedingly good, and the dresses appropriate and excellent. The choruses in "Patience" are "taking" and lively, and are delivered with force and precision throughout.

Miss Ethel McAlpine takes the role of "Patience," and her appearance as the dairymaid is most becoming. She is possessed of a clear, sweet voice, and renders the songs allotted to her with charming sweetness. She is repeatedly encored during the evening. Her acting is also natural and lifelike. Miss Fanny Edwards is a dignified and graceful Lady Jane, and by the delivery of the part entrusted to her care showed that she has carefully studied her portion. Her strong, rich contralto voice is heard to perfection, while her dignity of deportment lends additional enchantment to her acting. The favour of the audience is divided between her and Miss McAlpine. The characters of Lady Angela, Lady Saphir, and Lady Ella are ably maintained by Misses Elsie Cameron, Clare Deveine, and Alice Gresham.

Mr. George Thorne assumes the part of Reginald Bunthorne, to which he does full justice, his duets with Patience* and Lady Jane being particularly well received. Mr. Arthur Rousbey, as Archibald Grosvenor, has a handsome appearance, and has a rich baritone voice of great compass. Mr. H. Halley, as Major Murgatroyd, has full scope for his baritone voice, which he uses to best advantage, while Mr. Walter Fish[sic], Lieut. Duke of Dunstable, and Mr. Byron Browne, as Colonel Calverley, are also very successful. – Next week, Mr. T.D. Yorke's famous comic opera company are to occupy the boards.

* There is no duet for Bunthorne and Patience in the opera.

The Era (London, England), Saturday, September 8, 1883; Issue 2346.

THEATRE ROYAL AND OPERA HOUSE. – Lessee and Manager, Mr. T. Ramsey. – Messrs T.W. Robertson and H. Bruce's Guv'nor company, which was with us the latter half of last week, was accorded very fair patronage, considering Mr. Barry Sullivan's great success the three previous days. The piece went well, and occasioned almost uncontrollable laughter. This week Patience has been served up, and the Reginald Bunthorne of Mr. George Thorne, the Archibald Grosvenor of Mr. Arthur Rousbey, the Lady Jane of Miss Fanny Edwards, and the Patience of Miss Ethel M'Alpine have been particularly welcome. The acting, singing, and dresses are all of the best, and the chorus is a special feature.

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