From The Bristol Mercury and Daily Post (Bristol, England), Tuesday, November 29, 1881; Issue 10466.

Last night, Mr. D'Oyly Carte's Comic Opera Company commenced a return visit with Gilbert and Sullivan's "Pirates of Penzance." With the unusual pressure on our news columns, we should find it impossible to attempt any detailed notice of the performance, even were such required; but, fortunately, the change is so little that it is unnecessary to say much more than that the opera has gained in the quality termed "go" by the frequent repetitions it has undergone since it was first produced here, and that it is rendered with quite the former completeness as regards the numerical strength of the chorus and orchestra, and the careful staging.

There is only one change in the cast. Miss Roche, who played Ruth on the last occasion, being in America, the part is filled by Miss Madge Stavart. If we mistake not, this lady played Little Buttercup when "H.M.S. Pinafore" was first presented here; at all events, she is a nice contralto singer and good actress. Miss Laura Clement still warbles charmingly as Mabel; Mr. G. W. Marnock repeats his robust portrait of the Pirate King; Mr. G. Coventry repeats his admirable performance of Frederick; Mr. George Marler provokes quite as much merriment as the Sergeant of Police; and Mr. David Fisher, junior, is as piquant as ever as Major-General Stanley. Mr. George Chapman, who conducted, received upon making his appearance a marked reception, and a cheer of recognition was also accorded to the other artistes. The plaudits and encores were frequent.

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