SLEEPING BEAUTY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 49, 5 March 1946, Page 6

SLEEPING BEAUTY

PRESENTATION IN GRAND THEATRE A CREDITABLE PERFORMANCE In support of the Young Veterans candidate, Princess Pam, “The Sleeping Princess”, a fairy tale ballet in four acts, was presented in the Grand Theatre by a full company of some forty Opotiki children on Tuesday evening. The performance lasted three hours, and represented a type of entertainment which Whakatane has not had the pleasure of witnessing for some considerable time. The house, although good, was not filled.

Much credit for the production must go to Mrs Ina Munro, a well known Opotiki dancing teacher, whose own ballet work attracted much attention from the audience. Her portrayal of the Queen of the Sylphs was particularly worthy of comment.

Briefly, the story, the whole of which, of course, was presented in mime, was that of the Sleeping Beauty. Act I portrayed the Christening Festivities to which the wicked Fairy Felia, excellently portrayed by Valerie Russell, did not receive an invitation. Greatly enraged, she rushes in and tells the Queen, that on her sixteenth birthday, the Princess will prick her finger upon a spindle and die. But Lilac, the Princess’ guardian fairy (Leonie Remnant) comforts the Queen, and says that the Princess will ■ not die, but sleep for one hundred years. Noteworthy in the second act, depicting Aurora’s sixteenth birthday, and the casting of the spell, were Princess Aurora (Phyll Davies) and the Hungarian Peasants. The former was conspicuous for her excellent toe work, and her attractive stage personality. She executed her long and difficult part which called for a high standard of ability, in splendid fashion.

In act 3, the Prince, out hunting in the forest, becomes separated from his companions, and growing weary of searching for them, falls asleep. The Lilac Fairy appears and shows him a vision of the enchanted Princess. The visidn of Aurora appears, and the glade is filled with Sylphs. The Prince falls in love with Aurora, and awakening, sets out to find her.

The final act depicts Aurora’s wedding. The Prince, finding the Palace wherein the Sleeping Princess lies, wanders through, and discovers her. Bending down, he kisses her, and immediately the spell is broken. Once again the Palace is the scene of gaiety, and Aurora prepares for her wedding. Among the guests are people of story book fame, including Red Riding Hood, the Wolf, Puss in Boots, the White Cat, and others. This last act was one very much appreciated by the audience. The antics of the Wolf, in carrying off Red Riding Hood, and the manner in which the White Cat appeared intent upon ‘making up’ to Puss in Boots were thoroughly enjoyed by the house. Lynne Bunkall, who could at most, have been no more than six or seven years of age, portrayed Tinkerbell in a very pretty fashion. The- costuming, throughout, was excellent.

At the conclusion of the performance, Mr J. Armstrong, of Opotiki, on behalf of the company, thanked the public for their excellent response, and added that Mrs Munro, the producer, was willing to assist the R.S.A. Appeal in any way possible, and would be pleased to visit Whakatane again at any time in the future. Bouquets were then presented to Mrs Munro and the two accompanists, Mesdames Malcolm and Hughes, and Princess Pam, in support of whom the evening was sponsored. Mr D. Wilson, Chairman of the Yong Veterans Committee also spoke, thanking the company for the presentation. , Two interludes during the evening by guest artists, Mrs Rushbrook and Mrs Larmer received deserving applause. The former rendered vocal items, ‘A Spanish Song’, ‘The Songs My Mother Sang’ and ‘On Wings of Song’, whilst Mrs Larmer played violin solos ‘The Admirals Galliard’ by Alfred Mossat, and Chopin’s ‘Nocturne.’