GRAND FIRST NIGHT

Chronicle (Levin), 12 August 1948, Page 4

GRAND FIRST NIGHT

College Debut Into Realm Of Light Opera Any apprehension which the producer of "The Pirates of Penzance" might have felt at attempting such a difficult enterprise must surely have been swept away when the curtain rose on the first nigfit of the production last evening. Both the producer, Mr. N. A. Byrne, and the large cast are to be congratulated on a really fine performance, which was carried through from start to finish without a hitch. i This was the Horowhenua College's first venture into the realms of light opera and the decision to produce Gilbert and Sullivari's "The Pirates og Penzance" cre&ted considerable interest both locally and with other colleges having similar ambitions. With the inclusion of a large supporting choir, .some 130 pupils, staff and assisting artists took part, and the provision of costumes for a large number-of those must have entailed considerable work. The result, however, was most satisfactory, no detail in the dress being overlooked. "The Pirates of Penzance'* is amply infused with humour, with a spicing of drama, and there are many good vocal solo and chorus numbers. Th'e story is centred round a youth who'is apprenticed, through a mistake by his nurse, to a pirate instead of a pilot. When she realises her error, the nurse also joins the pirate band to be near the boy, for whom she has grown very fond. The boy's apprenticeship ends with his 21st birthday and the first aet shows him about to break his ties with the band, with the intention of returning to civilisation to lead a normal life. His intention* on regaining his freedom is to proceed against the pirates and bring them all to justice because, although he loves them all dearly, he is bitterly opposed to the lives they lead. The love interest appears when a major-general and his "bevy" of daughters, 16 in number, take up residence on the island whereon are encamped the pirate king and his band. Having left the band and fallen in love with one of the daughters, the pirate apprentice is visited by his late leader, who tells him that as he was born in a Leap Year and apprenticed to the pirates until his 21st birthday, he is in honour bound to return to the band to keep to the strict letter of the contract. Placing honour before all else, the apprentice does as.he is bid, but all ends happily when the pirates as a whole are converted by the major-general and his daughters, and renounce their lawless trade. Fine Yocal Leads .The four principal soloists, all of whom do justice to their parts, are: Mesdames E. Smith (Mabel) and G. Hesp (Ruth), and Messrs. J. P. Edgar (Frederick the Pirate Apprentice) and F. Baumbqr (The Pirate King) . Others holding principal roles are Messrs. J. Findlater (the Major-General) , G. Ball (Sergeant of Police) and R. Lankshear (Samuel, Lieutenant to the Pirate King) . The two college members who were heard in solo numbers were Lynette Gibbofis (Edith) and Audrey Nichol (Kate), both of whom have sweet young, voices and were very creditable in' their roles. Marie Pescini ably took the part of Isabel. The chorus, of policemen, which was one of the highlights of the show, comprised: Messrs. Andrews, A. D. Brash, W. Hall, E. Lacey, J. jKissell, A. Moriarty, I. Ramsden and R. T. Woodfield. The Pirates, who looked most realistic in their colourful costumes and entered freely into the spirit of the' production, were: S. J. Alexander, G. Arcus, R. Coleman, B. Collett, J. Dome, W. Dumbell, S. Fox, P. Frederikson, G. Lankshear, A. Lee, D. Lind, D. Lindsay, B. Morrison, J. Norton, N. Oxnam and R. Swan. Wearing Victorian costumes of colourful patterns, the chorus of girls comprised: Valerie Barkla, Patricia Burtt, Josephine Cameron, Anne Childs, Dorotliy Crowley, Phyllis Fogden, Audrey Fogden, Beryl Grice, Audrey Grice, Margaret Miller, Natalie Mudgway, Fay Potter, Marua Potter, Patricia Rolfe, Alison and Ann Todd. Not prominently in the public eye but doing sterling work nevertheless, was the supporting choir consisting of college pupils, which gave the necessary strength to the production and showed the -results of careful training. The pupils comprising the supporting choir are unfortunately- too^. numerous to mention, but all are deserving of the highest praise. Special mention shouid be made of the work of Mr. M. R. Smith and the art department, who were responsible for the painting of the settings for the two acts. Closely associated with this was the lightning , effects, for which Mr. K. E. Alderson was responsible. * Miss L. E. Coleman and her home science girls are to be congratulated Dii the costuming, which was a iredit to them. At the two pianos were Misses L. Thorn and Anne Dickson, who both did excellent work. Their dual rendition of the overture, "The ' Pirates of Penzance," was well worthy- of the ap- . plause it received.. Anne Diekson, who is a pupil of the Colleg'e, shows considerable promise, and the two made a good partnership. The conductor, on whom rested nuch of the responsibility for the j

smooth passage of the production, was Miss A. Browning. The business manager was Mr. A. Haley. Tonight wiil see the second performance of the production and, with the success of the first night behind them, the cast shouid face the footlights with even more confidence. The hall was packed at last aight's performance and ' it . is anticipated that this wiil be maintained until the curtain rises for the. last time on this production on Friday night.