From The Huddersfield Daily Chronicle (West Yorkshire, England), Tuesday, May 16, 1882; pg. 3; Issue 4612.

Last evening a capital audience assembled at the Theatre Royal and Opera House to witness the production, for the first time in Huddersfield, of Gilbert and Sullivan's renowned æsthetic opera, "Patience," by a company organised by that popular theatrical entrepreneur Mr. D'Oyly Carte. And whilst "Patience" has not been played in Huddersfield before, we venture to think that all who are in any way interested in theatrical matters are too well acquainted with Gilbert and Sullivan's latest success to necessitate any description of the incidents forming the groundwork of the opera. But it may be stated that Mr. White has the opera exceedingly well mounted, that the dresses are very handsome, and that the band, under Mr. John Liversidge*, does not lack in efficiency.

As regards the divers characters more must be said. Mr. R. Purdon enacts the part of Reginald Bunthorne, the fleshly poet, in a manner which, whilst not equalling Mr. George Grossmith's impersonation of the character, is by no means an ineffective one. In the duet with Lady Jane in the second act, and likewise in the duet with Archibald Grosvenor, Mr. Purdon is at his best. Archibald Grosvenor, the idyllic poet, is played by Mr. W. Greyling, and this is without doubt a most excellent representation of that individual whose fate it is to be so handsome that every damsel must needs fall in love with him. Perhaps Mr. Grayling's best number was that in the second act, "A magnet hung in a hardware shop," though he also evidenced his ability in the duet with Bunthorne. Colonel Calverley, of the Heavy Dragoons, falls to the lot of Mr. F. Federici, who has a somewhat powerful voice, which comes out well in the patter song to be generally found in Mr. Gilbert's librettos, viz., "If you want a receipt for that popular mystery," whilst his solo "When first I put this uniform on," was received with great éclat. Mr. E. Clowes plays the part of Major Murgatroyd, and the Duke of Dunstable is well portrayed by Mr. H. Lucas, the chorus of dragoons being a powerful and well balanced one.

Miss Marion Grahame is entrusted with the role of Patience, the heroine of the opera, and right well she plays the part. Her voice is a very sweet one, her acting natural, and her manner most charming. Indeed, she is an ideal representative of the village dairymaid. Her chief songs are: "I cannot tell what this love may be," and "Love is a plaintive song," which are admirably sung, and in the duet, with Grosvenor, "Hey willow waly, oh," Miss Grahame sings very effectively. Miss F. Harrison, a vocalist by no means unknown in the West Riding, plays the character of Lady Jane with remarkable success, her best number being "Silvered is the raven hair." The Lady Saphir (Miss. C. Snow), the Lady Ella (Miss F. Dysart). and the Lady Angela (Miss Katie Cohen) are all well portrayed, more especially the latter, and in concluding this necessarily brief notice of what is without doubt a capital performance of the opera, mention mast be made of the septet towards the close of the first act, "I hear the soft note of the echoing voice," which was rendered in a most refined and artistic manner.

* See notice from The Era below.

From The Era (London, England), Saturday, May 20, 1882; Issue 2278.

THEATRE ROYAL AND OPERA HOUSE. – Lessee, Mr J. W. White. — The Sullivan-Gilbert opera Patience was presented for the first time in Huddersfield to a large audience on Monday evening. Although, in common with most provincial towns, the "æsthetic craze" is scarcely understood by the multitude, yet the tuneful numbers of the opera have charmed their ears, while the ridiculous topsy-turvey ideas of life have raised their mirth.

The piece is excellently staged and capitally played. Mr. R. Purdon, in make-up and action, imitates Mr. Grossmith as Bunthorne, but achieves success. Mr. W. Greyling, as Grosvenor, acted and sang nicely. Messrs F. Federici, E. Clowes, and H. Lucas, as the Officers of the Dragoons, were picturesque. Miss Marion Grahame made a delightful Patience; and Miss Fanny Harrison's impersonation of the massive Lady Jane added greatly to the "go" of the piece. Miss Katie Cohen, Miss C. Snow, and Miss F. Dysart, as principals amongst the twenty love-sick ones, also acquitted themselves satisfactorily. The band was fairly up to its work under the care of Mr T. Silver.

Page modified 7 November 2011