THEATRE ROYAL.

From Berrow's Worcester Journal (Worcester, England), Saturday, April 29, 1882; pg. 4; Issue 9837.

About "H.M.S. Pinafore," with the production of which Mr. D'Oyly Carte's company on Wednesday commenced a short engagement, scarcely anything new can be written, so frequently have its principal features been made the subject of elaborate criticism. Time has established the pieces a favourite with playgoers, although its popularity has, of course, somewhat paled before the attractions of the more recent works of Messrs. Gilbert and Sullivan.

The company enacting it is an exceedingly powerful one; it is put on the stage with every attention to detail, is dressed very prettily, and is acted in an efficient manner. Miss L. Henschel appears as Josephine. Possessing a good stage appearance and a charming voice, this young lady brings to bear on the part a measure of grace which puts into the shade the common features, mannerisms, and slovenliness displayed by so may operatic artists, and which tend so largely to relegate pretty comic operas to the almost intolerably dreary level of modern burlesque. The excellent vocalisation of Mr. Leumane (Ralph Rackstraw) early won the approbation of the audience, which was by no means slow to recognise and appreciate the abilities of Miss B. Armytage and Mr. Fred Billington, who appear respectively as Little Buttercup and Capt. Corcoran. The character of Sir Joseph Porter is impersonated by Mr. John Le Hay, with a keen appreciation of its humour; and his delivery of the patter song evoked a heart encore. The choruses were all excellently rendered.

The piece, which is preceded by the popular burletta "In the Sulks," will be withdrawn to-night in favour of the "Pirates of Penzance," of which there will be a morning performance on Saturday.

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