It was a happy thought on the part of Mr. D'Oyly
Carte to celebrate the "majority" of The Sorcerer by a revival,
for there is not one of the long series of comic operas which we owe to
the fertile genius of Mr. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan that the public
will welcome more warmly. Originally produced so long ago as 1877, and
revived in 1884, The Sorcerer is very far from having exhausted
its popularity. Last night's audience laughed as heartily over Mr. Gilbert's
delightful humour and encored Sir Arthur's charming melodies as lustily
as ever. Truth to tell, The Sorcerer bears its years wonderfully
well. It may be said without exaggeration that the wit of the dialogue
has lost nothing of its lambency, while the music, familiar as much of
it is, retains all its freshness and charm. The performance was a good
one upon the whole. Not one of the original cast now appears at the Savoy
and only one of that which assisted at the revival in 1884. Miss Brandram
is fortunately still available for the part of Lady Sangazure, which she
sings with all her old success. Mr. Jones Hewson has scarcely experience
enough for the part of Sir Marmaduke, and Mr. Lytton's Vicar lacks the
unctuous humour of Mr. Barrington. Mr. Passmore, who succeeds Mr. Grossmith
as the Sorcerer, gives ample effect to the extravagant humour of the part,
and the hero and heroine are ably represented by Miss Ruth Vincent and
Mr. R. Evett, the latter a new-comer with a sonorous tenor voice, who strengthens
the Savoy company in a marked manner. Miss Emmie Owen, Miss E. McAlpine,
and Mr. L. Russell fill the smaller parts in a thoroughly efficient manner.
The
Sorcerer is followed by the ever-popular Trial by Jury, in which
the principal parts fall to Mr. Lytton, Mr. Cory James, and Miss Isabel
Jay. Both operas were received with overwhelming demonstrations of delight
and ought to fill the theatre for some time to come.
transcribed by Helga J. Perry, 6 April 2001