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THE GAIETY THEATRE, DUBLIN

From Freeman's Journal and Daily Commercial Advertiser (Dublin, Ireland), Tuesday, April 11, 1882; Issue N/A.

Last evening "Patience, or Bunthorne's Bride," by Messrs. Gilbert and Sullivan, was produced at the Gaiety Theatre before a crowded audience. On the occasion of its first performance in Dublin last season we described the work in some detail, pointed out its merits, and reviewed the performance. The cast is, with one exception, the same as on the former occasion, and there is, therefore, but little to add to our first notice. It is just one of those works that, so to speak, improves on acquaintance. The peculiarly skilful and ingenious character of the satire becomes better developed, and to a Dublin audience, perhaps, more intelligible after frequent visits to the performance.

The change in the cast referred to was in the case of the heroine Patience, played on this occasion by Miss Ethel Pierson. She sang very nicely. Her voice is not strong, but its sweetness and expression compensates for want of power. Of her acting, much could be said in praise. She displays intelligence and a true sense of the force and meaning of the text. Mr. Rousbey's performance as Archibald Grosvenor could hardly be made better. It certainly has not been excelled in any other actor. He sings well, and thoroughly appreciates the true humour of the part. Mr. Thorne has improved his picture of the "fleshly poet," Bunthorne, which is now in his hands a very amusing caricature of the modern æsthete as Du Maurier has drawn him. A special word of praise is due to Miss Elsie Cameron for her performance as the Lady Angela, and to Miss Ethel Pierson [sic]1 as the Lady Jane. Mr. B. Browne made a capital Colonel, and the dragoons conducted themselves with true martial stateliness. The music throughout was most excellently given, the scenery was most satisfactory, and in conclusion we can congratulate the company upon their really excellent performance.

Note 1: Lady Jane was played by Fanny Edwards at his stage of the tour.

From The Era (London, England), Saturday, April 15, 1882; Issue 2273.

GAIETY THEATRE. —Proprietor, Mr. Michael Gunn. — After having been closed for a week, this theatre reopened on Easter Monday evening with Mr. D'Oyly Carte's company in the Gilbert and Sullivan opera Patience. There was an exceedingly well-filled house, and the large audience was most enthusiastic in its approval of the performance. Miss Ethel Pierson appeared with much success in the title role. Mr. Geo Thorne exhibited considerable comic power as Bunthorne; and Mr. Arthur Rousbey was exceedingly effective as Grosvenor. The other parts are all creditably filled. Mock Turtles has been the preceding item.


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