THE THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 93, 12 January 1918, Page 3

THE THEATRE

(By "Sylvius.")

A Great Choir. Which is the most musical centre in New Zealand P The question is not argued with any spirit in these war days, but some thirty years ago, v.iicu music was at its zenith in the Dominion, Dunediu certainly held in palm. Only the other day the writer met that veteran basso, Mr. i'arquluir Voting, of Christehurcli, who lias delighted many Wellington audiences, and in the course of a reminiscent chat, he recalled those happy clays when Dunediu boasted as lino a set of good singers as any city in Australasia could produce. He recalls the time when the Anglican Church there possessed a choir that was really worth hearing, and anyone who can recall those days will readily concedo that with such members tlio musical part of the service must have been very line indeed, much more so than any choir that could bo named to-day in New Zealand. The names included those of the late Messrs. Harry Smith (a splendid light baritone), Philip Newbury (tenor, then in his prime), Henry Stockwell (tenor, who afterwards toured with Miss Amy Shenvin), E. Packer (a lovely counter tenor), James J ago (baritone), James Blenkinsop (leading tenor), Moyle (baritone, afterwards director of the Dunedin Liedertafel), and Mrs. Murphy (mother of Miss Amy Murphy, now doubling with Mr. Philip Newbury on a vaudeville turn ill Christchurch). Mr. and Mrs. Farquhar Young are also in vaudeville, where they are giving an excellent account of themselves a 6 tlio Farquhars.

Australian Doings. "Aladdin," the pantomime which is being staged at the King's Theatre (Melbourne) by Messrs. J. and N. 'i'ait in association with Messrs. Bailey and Grant, dragged out a little too much in its earlier performances. The blue pencil has apparently been got to work, however, lor the end of tho production can now be seen without endangering the last tram.' Miss Winifred La France makes a charming Aladdin, her principal boy study showing vivacity and originality. Miss Olive Godwin returns to the stage as a charming princess, in which sue is heard in some attractive vocal num-. bers. The song "For Me and My Gal" is probably her best. Mr. Bert Bailey makes a quaiut dame in the rolo of a Mrs. Twankey, "who is connected with some of the best houses in town —by telephone." A harlequinade with Mr. Barry Lupino as the central figure has been introduced at the matinees, and there are .the usual animal studies and quaiut drolleries of good "panto." When it became known that Miss Muriel Starr was to sustain the name part in "The Bird of Paradise" some feared that she was going out of her class. The wheedling, coaxing part of the Hawaiian princess did not seem to some to lit one of tho histrionic attributes of Miss Starr. Tho actress, however, has furnished two answers. Firstly, she has proved equal to the softer and moro insinuating phases of the part; and secondly, she has shown that the interpretation in places requires dramatic intensity of tho character l'or which Miss Starr is noted. Some lino scenic effdets have been reached. Tho Honolulu gardens by moonlight, tho volcano Pele iu eruption, and glimpses of tho calm seashore under the tropical sun artistically reflect "tho paradiso of tho Pacific" at its host. Mr. Frank Harvqy and Mr. J. B. Atholwood have previously been mentioned as;iimung the best in the company; but Miss Tien | Hoguo as Diana, and Miss Maggie Moore as a Hawaiian domestic sustain their parts well. Theatrical critics, like doctors, disagree occasionally, but there has been 110 disagreement among Melbourn'o critics as to the standard attained by tho Christmas pantomime, "Dick Whittington," at Her Majesty's Theatre.. Tho production has caught the public taste, and it is hardly possible that it could be otherwise. In addition to the music and the comedy, there is an impressive grandeur about the scenery created by Mr. J. Coleman. Mr. Coleman has been especially successful in his attempt to recreate the Thames —not tho up-to-date Embankment which presentday visitors to London know, but tho old stream with its quaint merchantmen which Dick Whiitington and liis friends must have looked upon. Then thore are the ballets, the concluding scene in tho first act, the vogue oi fashion and a thousand other brilliant touches in the ever-changing scenery.

In Sydney Kathleue MacDonell has pleased the critics with her line performance of "Peter Pan." Whether Barrie's delicate fancy can hold the favour of a Sydney audionce is quito another matter. Charles Waldron plays Captain Hook, and Mr. Darling, while liily Malyon plays Mrs. Darling. Cecil Hames (formerly of Wellington) is Michael, Miss Gracie Lauer is a surpassingly sweet and motherly Wendy and John is played by Master Jack Radford. "Peter Pan" is very beautifully produced. Who will not wish that it will come to New Zealand?

"The Bing Boys,"- which is at Her Majesty's, Sydney, is a medley ot music and comedy, with 110 more raison d'etre than a sonnet; just a flimsy theme of happenings which servo as a connecting link between a host of catchy songs and choruses, a myriad of wonderful frocks, countless exhibitions of dainty limbs and lingerie, and incidental comedy and burlesque shows. All this results from tho decision of the two Bing Boys ot Uinghampton to visit London. It is a musical extrava"auza, a revue, a musical comedy, and a pantomime all in one; and, what is uiorc, it is clever under eadi one of its separate guises. The Bing Boys had an extraordinary run in London, and it is safe "to wager that its popularity in Sydney will como to rival that of the almost historic "Our Miss' Gibbs." Tho music is sparkling and fresh, the humour snappy and up to date, whilst the frocking and general scenic effects make one forget a work-a-day world outside the theatre, in a riotous blaze of dazzling colours, flashing lights,-and bewildering exotic scenic changes.

Tho Musical Bentleys, now appearing at His Majesty's Theatre, when iu Honolulu some years ago, received a royal "command" from tho.Queen of the Hawaiians to visit the palace with their big marimba-xylophone. Her Majesty desired to hear them render the melody "Alolui Oe" ("Faro Tlico Well"). This air, which is tho nativo melody most associated with Hawaiian life was composed by tlio Queen, who was curious to hear how it sounded oil an instrument she had never previously heard. The occasion was the first on which a vaudeville act had visited tlio palace, wherein tho aged Queen lives on a pension from tlio United States Government. Mr. and Mrs. Wielaert, of Auckland, who, as Madame Alverna and M. Joan Laertc, recently toured the Fuller circuit, were at latest appearing at tho I Empire Theatre, Durban, South Africa;