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Most of the _libretto_ of W. S. GILBERT'S latest whimsical opera,
entitled _His Excellency_, is evident proof of _his_ excellency in this
particular line and on these particular lines. Among principals, Mr.
BARRINGTON has perhaps a trifle the best of it; while the part given
to our Gee-Gee, _alias_ GEORGE GROSSMITH, is not so striking as his
costume, both he and Mr. JOHN LE HAY, whose make-up is wonderfully
good, being somewhat put in the shade by the gaiety of the two charming
young ladies Miss JESSIE BOND and Miss ELLALINE TERRISS, who act
with a real appreciation of the fun of the situation in which their
dramatic-operatic lot is cast. But, after all said and sung, it is the
brilliancy of the Hussars, under the command of Corporal, afterwards
Colonel, PLAYFAIR, that carries the piece, and takes the audience by
storm. The music by Dr. CARR would not of itself carr-y the piece were
"the book" less fancifully funny than it is, and did it not contain
some capital lines which are quickly taken by an appreciative audience.
There is plenty of "go" in the Carr-acteristic music for the dance of
Hussars; but the most catching "number" is a song of which the first
bars irresistibly call to mind the song with a French refrain sung by
Miss NESVILLE in _A Gaiety Girl_. Was Dr. OSMOND CARR the composer
of that air? or as "that air" sounds vulgar, let us substitute "that
tune." If so the resemblance is accounted for, and if he wasn't,
then it is only an accidental resemblance of a few bars that at once
strikes the retentive ear of the amateur. Scenery and costumes are all
excellent in _His Excellency_.
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