"THE CINGALEE."

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1666, 5 February 1913, Page 6

"THE CINGALEE."

A POPULAR EEVIVAL. "The Cingalee," a musical comedy, by Lionel Monckton. Cast:—. . ' Hon. Harry Tereker.-...' W. Talleur Andrews Boobhama Ohotteur Bhoy ... Victor Prince Sir Peter Loftus Fred. Winn 'Jiyamgah :... Charles Albert Bobby Warren. Ecginald Roberta Eick Bosanquet,.... Cecil Outtrim Chambuddy .Eham : W. ;S.- Percy Nanoya 1.....,..;.... Sybil Arundalo .Peggy Sabino Dorothy - Brunton Naitooma ...: .....:....;....... Violet Collinson Sattambeo ..,.......,./„.., " Flossie Dickinson Mycheelah .-.....' Alice Benetto Sooma- ' , Poggy Benson ■Ahgy Loftus ......;.........'.........-.. Vivian Tallour llim Pinkerton ..'. ..;..;... Queenie Burrows Mausclle'.Ohi'o .., Stella Esdaile Signorma Tasso .; ; M.'Beardo Lady .Patricia Verekor .'... Amy Murphy

Musical comedy, perhaps the most popular . and lasting form of - theatrical' entertainment evolved during the last quarter of n century, is often rather slightingly referred to as nothing more than connected vaudeville, on account of the occasional inconsequence of the ' constitutent numbers. Asa matter of fact, English musical comedy . corresponds exactly, to what French vaudeville is, the meaning of tho word-having' undergono a chahgo from the : original definition, a country ballad.' to "any light piece, usually comic,- with' songs:and dances intermingled with, the dialogue."; That being so, what is usually labelled vaudeville is nothing.of tho sort,, and "The Cingalee," •' produced ' at tho\ Opera ■• House . last evening, is vaudeville in the pure. "Tho Cingalee," which ..revives- remarkably well, is not new to Wellington. It was written down as a vei\y delightful bit of highly embellished nonsense years ago, and if the jokes, have, ■ a'. somewhat chestnutty flavour the music of Mr. Lionel Monckton (the composer of such bright musical' comedies as "Tho .Geisha,'' "San Toy," and "A Country Girl") chirae3 ns merrily on the ear as ever, and the gorgeously exotic setting, faithfully ■ reflecting 'the luxuriance 'of tropical Ceylon, still appeals bewitchmgly to the eye. If the reviyal'of ".The Cingaleo" bo duo to tho single fact 0f,.. Miss' Sybil Arundale's presence in the company it is justified, this clover and charming artist was the original Nanoya in London a decado ago, and her performance last evening was ah outstanding brilliant one.. She' invests tho role of the high-caste tea-picker with alluring grace, .and sings the music charmingly.. .'Her powerful mezzo was heard to much advantage in tho pretty ballads, 'My Cinnamon Trues" and "Slow Eyes." Her .voice is hardly so effective in tho concerted music. Tho.Peggy Sabino of Miss Dorothy Brunton 'was a sheer delight.. This clever.young' actress was given an opportunity to show what she could do as a. pantonvinist in-the doll and golliwog interlude. With her stiff-jointed movements, her vacant stare at nothing in particular, and her mop of golden hoir", she was tho very pattern of a model highpriced doll, and in the mode drama which followed her acting, was'deliriously expressive. Miss Brunton was also prettily piquant in tho duet with- Mr. W. S. Percy in the-first act.. That bright littlo comedian was .very -much concerned ■ in. : ' then success 'of the performance' as the wily and obsequious Baboo lawyer Chambuddy Rham. His,' curiously 'faithful make-up, his quaint jokes in "Baboo" English, and his ceaseless side-play, i kept tho nudienco hilariously amused, and, his. clever acting and dancing with Miss Brunton were distinctly good. Mr. W.. Talleur Andrews sang well, and acted in a straightforward, manly fashion as Harry Vei-ekef; and Mr. Reginald Roberts was corrcctlv placed as Bobby Warren. His duet, with Miss Amy Murphy, "You-and I," was one of tho vocal gems of tho evening. Miss Murphy looked and sang well as Lady Patricia. Mr. Fred, Winn was in his clement as tho highly-susceptible -Sir Peter Loftus, whoso emotions aro so easily upset by the climate. As the brisk*' racy, full-blooded old Britisher, with, a glad eye for 'the winsomo tea-girls, and a violent disrespect, for -"rotten: cotton gloves," he was capital. Mr. Victor Prince cut a magnificent figuro as Boobhama Cliattour Bhoy, and gave an excellent performance. Tho alleged wit of some af his topical verses was almost as far out as tho rhythm of the verses, ■ which gave him so much trouble. Mr. Charles Albert,, as Myamgah, a native witch doctor, was effective in what he had to dp,' and his "devil dance" displayed his pedal agilityMo some purpose. Mention.; should also be made of Miss Arundale's clover bare-foot dance, which displayed the gifted actress as a dancer of distinct originality. "The Cingaleo'!'is skilfully orchestrated, and' magnificently,, mounted. The palace of the Boobham' in the second act, is a particularly handsome set. Two moro performances of the work will lie given. On Friday evening Collier's popular opera "Dorothy" will be staged.