"THE QUAKER GIRL"

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2682, 31 January 1916, Page 3

"THE QUAKER GIRL"

POPULAR MUSICAL COMEDY REVIVED "The Quaker Girl," written by Jas. Tanner, lyrics by Adrian Ross, and music by Lionel Monckton. Cast— Tony Chute ... Leslie Holland j-aptain Chartcris Reginald Hoberte Wonsieur Larose Alfred Andrew Prince Carlo Derek lltiUsoii (Nathaniel Pym 0. It, Bantock Monsieur Duhamcl John ltaleton " "Uam Chas. Albert J ar se. Dick ijliortland Oero-mah Phil Smith ijnoebe Minuio Love i*rinces3 Matliilde Alice Bemietto ® la ?i 0 Addie Lcnuard Alaaame Blum Maggie Moore iiri. nukyu Itrs. George Lauri xtacnael Vyiu Addiei Leonard louietto Nell l'ayno Prudence ' Ethel Cadman

The revival ot "rue Quaker Girl," by the Royal Comic Opera Company at tho Opera ilouse on Saturday evening attracted an audience that filled every seat in the large playhouse. This musical comedy, written by James Tanner, with lyrics by Adrian Ross and music by Lionel Monckton, is aiuongst tho brightest and merriest trifles that- those talented collaborate Ul'S have evolved. It was a full-bodied success in London, Australia, and Now Zealand when first produced, and there is little doubt that thero are still audiences who will appreciate its melodious music, pretty settiug. charming costumes (involving the quiet browns and greys of Quakerdom), and amusing story. Structurally "The Quaker Girl" can give points to many other musical comedies. There la, for example, a happy contrast provided, in opening the play in a quiet little country .village tenanted mostly by Quakers, and then transporting the audience to Madam Blum's sartorial establishment, with its piquant touches of Parisian life, and by a further pTiinge to a gay al fresoo ball scene, with tho stars retiected in every brimming goblet, and youth aud beauty tripping it ou the sward. It is hardly necessary to recall the story of the exiled Princess Mathilde's marriage to Captain Chartcris, and how she is smuggled back to Paris in Madam Blum's entourage,as a inannikin, whilst her sweet Quaker friend, Prudence, who loves the flesh-pots sufficiently to break away from the dull brown level of Quaker life, joins the jjlad throng, nominally as Mathilde's friend, but otherwise as the fate of debonnair l'ony Chute. If is only natural that a nasty French prince should wish to mar the love plots hatched in England, but ho does not count in tho end. Lively comedy is provided, too, by Jeremiah, a particularly gay young Quaker, and'his frisky 'Phoebe. The present performance disturbs none of our original impressions, nevertheless it was thoroughly enjoyable. Miss Ethel Cadman made a very pretty, and demure Prudence, aud sang "The Quaker Girl" eong with proper modesty. Her second act number, "The Dancing Lesson" (with Mr. Holland), was also a happy means of displaying her grace in song and dance. Mr, Leslie Holland is exactly fitted as Tony Chute, the flippant man about town. Mr, Holland's style of humour is of the dry and crusty order, whilst his peculiar tone in song gains him much sympathy,His aim is to simulate the smartness in speech and graco in action of tho blase West End buck, and he succeeds. His work is always intelligent, and he never 6lums. His capital little bit of mummery and excellaiit dancing in the "Champagn« Dream" was quite good. .Miss Minnie i'Ye as Phoebe was the j oiliest little lady on the stage; stie radiates brightness, and her pretty provincial acoent was just right., Miss Love is a deal more talented than her performance in last year's tamimo allowed us to suspect. Phil Smith was a scream as Jeremiah, and Reginald , Roberts made a nice pink, plump English officer. Miss Alico Bennetto ns the slim Princess appeared to advantage, whilst Mis 3 Addie Lenna-rd doubled successfully tliß roles of Diane and Rachel Pym. Mr. Derek Hudson, as Prince Carlo, expended much vocal energy in asking Prudence to go to tho ball, and Mr. C. Bantock was substantial enough for the Bible-quot. , ing Nathaniel Pym. Clever, character ' sketches were given by ,Mr. ,C. Albert, as 1 William, Mr. D. Shortland as ; •Mr. Alfred Andrews, as H; ■ Larose, was ' quite good. Miss Maggie Moore was an j ■unusual figure as Madam Blum (former. i ly "played by Miss Grace Palotta), but her ' experience and beaming intelligence were f undoubted. Mrs., George Lauri, Miss Nell j Payne,'and Mr. J. Ralston also figured in i the cast. "The Quaker Girl" will ba i played again this evening. i "MA MIE ROSETTE." , £

One of tlie most important works to be staged during tho present season of re. vivals by the J. (J. Williamson, Ltd., Comic Opera Company will be "Ma Mie Puosette," tlie music of which is in a class of its own in the realm of comic opera. "Ma Mie Eosette" unfolds a fascinating love story, and there are some striking dramatic episodes, which give Reginald Roberts, Derek Hudson, and Ethel, Cadman great opportunities for the display of histrionic powers. The finale of the second act in Auckland, which showß Kcsette being thrown by Vincent at the frivolous King's feet, aroused the audience to a high pitch of enthusiasm. Eeginald Roberts's inspirited rendering of / the patriotic battle number, "On the Field of Glory," was doxbly encored in Auckland, and altogether in this piece the popular tenor is easily at his very best. Only two performances can be given of "ila Mio Rosette;" and on Thursday night the company will begin the last three nights of the season in tho famous London Gaiety Theatre musical comedy, "The Danc'ng Mistross."