Sir Author. "And Cox——"
Both. "Are satisfied!"
[Curtain.
"Up in the morning early."
A great deal is expected from the collaboration of Sir Arthur Sullivan and Mr. F. C. Burnand, more especially when the work is staged at the Savoy, and is brought out under the direction of Mr. D'Oyly Carte. The brilliant audience that gathered on Wednesday night for the first performance of The Chieftain evidently came full of expectation, and as evidently went away filled with satisfaction. Twenty-seven years ago, when they were boys together, B. and S. (that sounds friendly and refreshing) brought out an early version of the opera which they called The Contrabandista. After the rehearsal of the new piece had gone forward for some weeks, Arthur Sullivan stumbled over this rather difficult word and sprained his ankle. Whereupon F. C. B., with characteristic promptitude and originality, changed the name to The Chieftain. That is the call-boy's narrative of events. However it be, since the opera has been entirely re-written, enlarged and beautified, it was natural to bestow upon it a new title. On the first night The Chieftain stormed the passes to public favour, and appears likely to occupy them for some time. Nothing brighter in colour, fuller of life, more musical, more mirthful, has been seen at the Savoy since its palmiest days. Sir Arthur and Sir Author are perfectly mated, F. C. B. brimming over with genuine humour, and A. S. pre-eminently displaying his rare gift of expressing humour in musical notes. The cast is a very strong one, which is fortunate, seeing the appetite of the audience is insatiable, and only exceptional strength could meet the demand for encores. Where all excel it is difficult to particularise merit. But Miss Florence St. John and Mr. Courtice Pounds in the French duet, Mr. Passmore from first to last (especially in his Bolero dance, one of the funniest things for a long time seen on the operatic stage), Miss Emmie Owen in her graceful movements, and the sextet with its merry music and its laughing dance, are things to see and hear.
ENGLISH AS SHE IS CRAMMED.
The Oxford Board of Studies will conduct an examination in 1896 for the new Final School of English Language and Literature. The following preliminary paper is to be set:—