The Era (London, England), Saturday, August 18, 1883; Issue 2343.

LEEDS

THE GRAND THEATRE — Lessee, Mr Wilson Barrett; Acting-Manager, Mr. Lee Anderson. — H.M.S. Pinafore, after along interval, has been played at this theatre to very appreciative audiences. The public are evidently not tired yet of listening to Sir Arthur Sullivan's pleasing melodies or Mr. Gilbert's witty dialogue.

The present company, under Mr. D'Oyly Carte's management, we think, is one of the very best that has appeared in the provinces in the popular nautical opera. For instance, the First Lord of Mr. John Le Hay, vocally and otherwise, is a capital performance; and Mr. Fred. Billington is also a good vocalist, and his acting as Captain Corcoran is very praiseworthy indeed. Mr. Henry Walsham is heard to great advantage in the part of Ralph Rackstraw; and Miss Esme Lee sings charmingly as Josephine. Miss Madge Stavart was lively and spirited, and in all respects very successful as Little Buttercup. The rest of the cast includes Mr. Edgar Manning as Dick Deadeye; Mr Richard Cummings, Bill Bobstay; and Mr C. M. Blythe, Bob Beckett. Miss Marian May was the Hebe.

The chorus was large and well up in the music, the whole performance going off with a crispness and animation quite refreshing. The dresses, evidently all new, were very bright and pretty, and it is almost needless to add that the quarter deck of the "Pinafore," was as perfect as things usually are here. Encores were frequent, and the principals were twice recalled. Mr Ernest Elton conducted with ability.

The opera was preceded by the vaudeville Quite an Adventure, in which Miss Florence Harcourt and Messrs Lorraine, R. Christian, and Edgar Manning took part, and sang the incidental music with great spirit.

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