"THE DANCING MISTRESS"

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2686, 4 February 1916, Page 7

"THE DANCING MISTRESS"

TYPICAL GAIETY MUSICAL.,' COMEDY "The Dancing Mistress," a mjusical comedy, in three acts, by Jas. T. Tanner; lyrics by Adrian Ross and Percy Grednljank; music by Lionel Momckton. Cast:— Widdicombo Phil Smith Lord Lyndale Reginald lSoberts Dubois C. R. E'ii ntock Baron Montalba Derek B'.udson Berchili Charles, Albert Signor Tonelli Alfred Andrew Mods. Jtasenbhim John .'Ralston Teddy Oavanagli Leslie ."Rolland Jeanie M'T'avish .7;. Min:eie Love Nancy Joyce Ethel Oulman lllle. Virginia Touchet ... jMags'iei Moore Miss I'indrop Mrs. Geoi;ea Lauri Ladv Margrave Alice TBennetto Lili (a Parisienne) Addie/. Lcnnard Bella Poach is'fell Payne

"The Dancing Mistress," prcWuced for the first time in Wellington at 'the Opera House last evening; saw ti,o Royal Comic Opera Company return io a typical London Gaiety musical comedy, in which everyone concerned • is in Bank Holiday humour, dancing, fliiting, skimming round the Continent whiilo tho band plays on. Thanks to an efficient cast, tho comedy goes with a swirig- from the rise of the curtain to its fall., The play is racy and smart, distinctly humorous nn gaiety lines, and is given -an alluring setting. The score is marked, by tinkling melodies that are meretriciously pleasing, and . the character scheme isr designed on familiar lines. The Dancing Mistress is 'Nancy Joyce, who,. whilst engaged in working off her debt at' hesr old school, allows the bubbling spirit, of youth to get the bstter of discretion, and is dismissed, just when she tons, met the debonnair airman, Teddy Cavanagli.. This bright boy is the friend of. Lord Lyndale, who also meets his fate at 'Miss PindTop's School in pretty Bella F'liach. Nanoy Is forced to find employment elsewhere, and the next act finds Ihier skating instructress in the Alps, all tho company repair, as is neioissaiy in such plays. There Teddy and his

friend encounter the wicked Baron Montalba, who has designs; on Nancy, and who is no end of a heart -smasher in his way, besides being a rival in- aviation to the redoubtable 'l'edkly. Tlio result of a jealous clash is a, challenge to fly to London, which, of uoiurae, 'the bright boy wins, and, furthermore, gains the heart and hand of N.'iucy. This little affair is given an extm, impetus by the offices of Mdlle. Touc.h'et, a, plump and pleasing French maid, ;\vho .knows a good thing, when sh e sees it. A wealth of broad comedy is piovidod by- the comic butler, Widdicombe, and his Caledonian inamorata, Jeanio M".Davish, whoss joint and several oxploits ifu neutral, territorykept the audience sinunering with mirth. The comedy is cleaai and original in every department, aad the entire play has a fine wholesome; ilavour, as uncommon as it is welconao.

Miss Ethel Cadman, was seen to advantage as Nancy Joyce, though a certain natural leticence of manner not looked for in a professional dancing mistress stood in the way o£ the fullest realisa-

tion of the possibilitaias of the part. Mies 'Cadmau was in gtvad voice, and sang the solo, "My Boy,"'particularly well. As the plump Touchet;, Miss Maggie Moore gavo. a comedy ritjrformanee that was flecked with, eleven: touches and tlio quaintest inflectioies. Miss Minnie Love gave (farther pixof of her versatility by making Jeanie 31'Tavish a broad Soots character of outstanding humour, and made the hit of.lffce evening in her song, "I'm Having a EScht Guid Time," which was supplemented by a clever 'comic dance, that was oncored time and again. Mr. Leslie Holland was in his native element as Tedt ly Cavanagh, who is tho accepted product of the old Gaiety Theatre, behind; whose airy flippancy is tile true sport ;UJid gentleman. Sir. Holland radiated healthy humour, danccd elegantly, and sang only upon provocation Mr. Phi j. Smith grows more confident in his cjomedy as tho season advances. He vras delightfully funny as Widdicombe, the cliippy little aitchless butler, and raised gusts of laughter in. his Tyrolean spng, "Back to my Homo in tho Mountain.')." Mr. Derek .Hudson was tile Baron Mcintalba, Miss Addio Lennard his Parisian lady love, Eili; Mr. Reginald Roberts figuijed as Lord Lyiidale, and Mrs. G. Lauiii was mildly humorous as Miss Pindrop* The mounting of the play was very good. The Alpino set of the middle act, with its cold, clear view of towering Alpp, tho whizzing toboggan parties. and prcjtty groups of ski-ists in their picturesque costumcs, was especially welcomed by t'h« perspiring audience.

"The Dancing Mistress" will bo played again to-nigSit and to-morrow night.