Page "Ruddigore" Paragraph 99

The Era commented, " the libretto as a whole is very weak and loosely constructed.

" Fun asked, " Could it be possible that we were to have a dull play from the cleverest and most original humorist of the day?

Alas!

It could – it was.

" According to the Pall Mall Budget, " the players seemed to be nervous from the start.

Miss Braham forgot her lines, and was not in voice.

Mr. ( George ) Grossmith was in the same plight ".

The Times also criticised Braham, stating that she " acted most charmingly, but sang persistently out of tune ".

The staging was also criticised: The Times stated, " The ghost scene ... of which preliminary notices and hints of the initiated had led one to expect much, was a very tame affair.

" The Era thought Sullivan's score " far from being fresh and spontaneous as is his wont ".