SAN TOY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2855, 21 August 1916, Page 3

SAN TOY

SPARKLING MUSICAL COMEDY AMATEURS' FINE WORK. "San Toy," a musical comedy in two acts.. Music by Sidney Jones. Book by Edward Morton. Lyrics by Harry Greenbank and Adrian Koss. CastSir Bingo Preston Mr. Norman Aitkcn Captain Bobby Preston...Mr. V. R. Meredith Lieut. Harvey Tucker .......Mr. Ohas. Moore Jilts. Harley Strceter Miss Mnrjorie Saunders Hon. Mrs. Day Stacltpote...Miss Ethel Smith Miss Mary Lambkin...Miss Jessie O'Sullivan Poppy Mies Ann tiullivaji Dudley Mies Isabel Wilford The Emperor of Oliina Mr. Alva Shaw Yen How Mr. W. W. Orawford Sing Hi Mr. Zaute Wood Fo Hop Mr. Herbert F. Wood Li Mr. A. W. Now Eon Old Mandarin Mr. H. 6. Shakes Ko Fan Miss Mario Fix San Toy Miss G.' Helen Qard'ner A kindly fate lias given us back the amateurs, upon whom it appears we have soleiy to rely for the revival of those pleasant light operas and musical comedies of twenty years ago, which the professional managements have cold-shoul-dered into tho limbo of forgotten things. It was with no little interest that a largo audience was present to witness the revival on Saturday evening at the Grand Opera House of the tuneful musical comedy, "San Toy," not seen here for about thirteen years, and it was doubly gratifying to have to record that tho performance was greeted with every sign of tho most cordial approbation, and to add that such a reception was well earned. The performance went very 6moothly from beginning to end, and may easily be placed on record as the best first night tho society has given us, which augurs well for the success of the season. As distinct from the performance, tho production of "San Toy' 7 is quite up to tho best professional standard. There are only two scenes, but both havo been admirably painted by Mr. W. J. Beck, who has put his best into the work. In gorgeous setting tho amateurs sported themselves in dresse3 beautiful m contrast and harmony, and varied in design. To Mrs. Hannah is due most credit in this important department, and when it is stated that it is tho best dressed 6how the amateurs have given us, some estimate of tho effort can be formed. For the entirely successful culmination of many weeks' work, infinite credit is due to Mr. Tom Pollard, who has acted as producer in the truest 6ense of the word, and kept a wary experienced eye on every departmept. His ability to sense a situation, accentuate a more or less subtle point, and build stage pictures, was evident right through the performance. The story of ".San Toy" concerns the affairs of Sir Presto Bingo, his daughter Poppy, his son Bobby, an august mandarin, Yen How, and his pretty daughter San Toy; the Emperor of China, and a funny general utility Chinaman named Li, which might be the apt abbreviation of liar or lively, for ho is both. Bobby Preston has learned to love tho sweet San Toy, but the wily old Yen How doesn't know it. The Emperor has been called upon to send a daughter to the Imperial Court, but Yen protests that he only has a son, but sex will out. and Yen's little deception is discovered, not only by Bobby, but by Fo Hop, a student, who has fallen in love with the little "boy." So we find San Toy in tho garb of a youth, and many pretty scenes of love and fancy occur, until Yen How receives a mandate from Peking to attend tho Imperial Court, and San Toy, in order to save her father, takes time by the forelock and rushes off to Peking, there to make a brilliant impression on tho giddy old Emperor. Yen's message to the Court, sent by Li, that ho only ha 3 a boy, is thus frustrated by the girl herself, who by her wit and tact wins a pardon for her father and her Bobby in tho one daring coup. Subsidiary to tho main thread of this transparently thin Elot arc tho amorous comedy toolings of i with Dudley (a smart English maid), and Poppy's love affair with Harvey Tucker. The title role had a very charming and vivacious exponent in Miss Helen Gard'ner, of Dunedin, who, the writer thinks, has never-dono. anything better.in Wel r lington. Her miniature figure, with its accompanying daintiness and piquancy, exactly fitted the role, and nevor onco was her senso of dramatic values at fault. She acted her love scenes with Bobby very prettily, and in the screamingly ludicrous scene with the Emperor she was absolutely delightful. Her solos, "It's Nice to be a Boy," "Tho Petals of tlio Plum Tree," and "Somebody," were beautifully sung, particularly tho lastnamed, and her singing in "The Moon" concerted number, and the "ABC" duet with Mr. Meredith, was a sheer delight. Another successful-performance was that of Miss Isabel Wilford, as Dudley. Miss Wilford, who is distinctly chic in appearance and manners, has broadened in her methods since last year, and the pert comedy of the lively English maid suited her very well. Most of her scene 3 and dances were with Li (Mr. A. ,W. Newton), and were among-the most amusing in the play. Miss Annie Sullivan was rather subdued as Poppy, and it was at times hard to hear what she was saying or singing, but as the evening wore-on she improved. She is always sweet and natural in style and movement. Miss Marie Fix made a picturesque captain of the Emperor'a Guard, and Misses Marjorio Saunders, Ethel Smith, Jessie O'Sullivan and Ann Sullivan, as the ladies of the English party, were an interesting and stylishly-gowned feature of the second act. Mr. V. R. .Meredith made Bobby Preston a handsome, manly type that a British officer should lie. If anything, Mr. Meredith was inclined to underact in his desire not to do the reverse. His singing was sweet, but more power was needed to fill the big house. In tho duets Miss Gardner's voice dominated always, which should not be. Mr. Alva Shaw made a distinct hit as the eav old Emperor, with an eye for a prettVface, and a reckless regard for domestic economy. • His eccentric make-up and infectious chuckle, and his sudden asperity towards those who interfered with hi's philanderiugs, were, all part of a capital character study. Another surprise performance was that of Mr. Herbert' Wood, who was quite admirable in the role of Fo Hop. His enunciation was clear and intelligently expressive,, and the manner ill which he sang the duet with Mies Gardner in the first act, and the alluring little love song which followed, found immediate favour with the audience. Mr. A. W. Newton', who is always reliable, made a very amusing Li. His fooling where he steals and drinks the eau do cologne; his comedy when locked ■in the "kang," and his dancing in the "Chinese ornaments" duet (with Miss Wilford) compelled lausrhtpr. The most pleasing features of Mr. Newton's stock-in-trade nrc that he never shows a trace of amateurism, and is a delightful dancer, and has a sense of humour that never miscarried. Mr. Norman Aitken, as Sir Proston Biniro, made the peppery Consul one. of the livest characters in the cast. He was always breezy and never failed to make every point tell. Mr. W. W. Crawford requires to deepen the character linos on which he plays Yen How. He was- quite good and solid, but his work i lacked colour, an element that concertgoers know he possesses in abundance. He was successful in the clever song, "T Mean to Introduce it Into China," and his fir=t song (with his wives) is one of Ihe jolliest in the comedy. Mr. Zanto Wood was adequate as Sing Hi. and several smaller parts were capitally played, notably the nuaiTcllin? tradesmen, by Me.«rs. J. Elliott and P. Fitzgerald. A marked feature of the performance was the splendid work done by the orchestra under the direction of Mr. Bernard Page. There were smoothness, strength, and good emphasis shown throughout. The band was acutely responsive to the baton, and the result was a big factor in the entire success of the performance. Nearly iho whole of the score had to bo reorrhestrnfed, the writer is told, and the vork is that of Mr. Vw ; ,nd Mr. Hnvdn Beck, who have certainly embroidered and filled out the thi'j tinkle nf Sidney Jones'' music in an amazingly adriot and cntirolv successful maimer. Patrons arc advised to listen to the accompaniment to Fo Hop's interpolated love song, and the music of the marsh..of tho Emperor's Guard, tn realise the truth of what ia •.rated. The musical comedy will be nerfiiniierl throughout the week. The curlain fell at. a lute hour on Saturday owing in the numerous encores and l.ho long interval, but thai, will be rectified this evening by a general speeding-up, particularly of the comedy scenes.