From The Liverpool Mercury etc (Liverpool, England), Tuesday, September 26, 1882; Issue 10828.
The "Pirates of Penzance" is an exceedingly clever epitomised satire of some phases of modern militaryism, as shown in the highly-cultured "Model Major-General." The story is accompanied by most attractive music, and when the opera is well performed it is sure to be favourably received. This was the case last night at the Court Theatre, when a most effective representation of the opera was given by Mr. D'Oyly Carte's company.
Mr. David Fisher, as the "Model Major-General" (with a make-up remarkable in its resemblance to the hero of the Egyptian campaign), won, by his admirable acting, great applause. Miss E. Lee's Mabel was vocally and histrionically an able performance, and her rendering of the air "Poor wandering boy" was effective. Mr. John Child is a capital vocalist, although his acting was somewhat tame. He sang the different portions of the music of his part with much effect, and his rendering of the air "Is there a maiden fair" secured an encore. The Pirate King found a very effective representative in Mr. G. W. Marnock, and all the other characters were most ably sustained.
The chorus was numerous, and the voices well balanced and bright. The band was an efficient one (under the conductorship of Mr. W. Robinson, R.A.M.), and altogether, the performance of the "Pirates" at the Court is one of the most complete ever given of this popular opera in the provinces.
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