"Mr Lingard hit upon the notion of continuing the plot of the original opera, and the result is that he has produced a work that is deficient in every quality that made its predecessor so popular. It is difficult to imagine how such an experiment could be successful. The idea was a most unfortunate one, and it is the more to be regretted, as Mr Luscombe Searell has provided some excellent music that deserves a much better fate than to be wedded to a work than can have from its very nature only ephemeral existences.

The music of Mr Searell is tuneful and the instrumentation showed very great skill. Faint reminiscences of well-known airs occur, but these are neither numerous nor marked enough to condemn the composer of plagiarism. Some of the ballads are especially worthy of praise and an octette which concludes the first act is an excellent burlesque on grand opera.

Those who heard the company attempt Pinafore need not be told that their musical talent was not of a very high order and consequently Mr Searell's work did not receive anything like justice.

Miss Lingard worked hard as Josephine, but the part is an ungrateful one and affords little chance for the actress.

Mr Lingard's Admiral is quite a different person to Mr Gilbert's and more suited in every way to the actor's style. His singing, as was to be expected, was not very brilliant, and some of the fun indulged in was not of a very refined order, but the audience appeared to enjoy the performance, and applauded Mr Lingard heartily.

The Dick Deadeye of Mr Westwood was amusing, and his singing of a song descriptive of Sir Joseph's sufferings from sea-sickness not without merit.

The orchestra was a strong one and did excellent service."

"It was, of course, a disavantage that the story of the 'wreck' suggested comparison with the original music and libretto. It could not have been otherwise. Mr Searell evidently desired to retain as much of the movement of the more celebrated operetta as would preserve the unity of dramatic and musical interest. But he ranged at large for musical efforts which were incorporated with considerable skill.

The overture was lively and attractive. The music consists of choruses, trios, duets and solos. These several pieces suggest the influence of several musical composers upon Mr Searell's style.

The acting was very good. As to the dramatis persone, it is not to be supposed that they would preserve the humour in the presence of a catastrophe. Here they appear much changed, but the change is in accord with the situation.

Whatever might be the opinion of the critics the audience appeared to be pleased."