"OH!OH!DELPHINE"

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 182, 28 April 1919, Page 8

"OH!OH!DELPHINE"

MUSICAL COMEDY WITH A FRENCH FLAVOUR, "Oh! Oh! Delphine," a musical comedy in three acts. Music by Ivan Cai;yll. Cast:— Colonel ■ Pomponnet Leslie Holland Fernando » a .<..,... Dorothy Drew Blum .....i, .'... Oliver Peacock A Hall Ppter Harry Eatoliife Victor JoUbeau .;. Eecinald Roberts Distinguished ; Jack Balaton Louis Gigoux';,. Jack Ealston Alphonse Bouchotte Bhil Smith Gladys Jloncrieff Mignon m>. ■ flolet Yorke Finotte .....: ;..... Wyonno Haybittle Eimboultt ."........ Florence Young Undo Noel Jolibeau John'Forde Bjisino Eva Webber Pluchaid V ,..T.'. Harold Beeves Simono Olive Godwin Dnraamo Eax ......,.., Addle Lcunard Lucie Kitty Burnoas Marie Annie .Seddon Blanolio Hazel Meldrum Ninette Carrie Blecman Jeanette ■. -.... Eesle Evesson Dancers... Malo Batrd and Bobt. Jlackinnon Saturday evening saw the first performance in New Zealand of "Oh! Oh! Delnhine," a highly Frenchified musical comedy with a fascinating score by Ivan Caryll, a composer whose abounding gift for light clinging melody places him in a niche by himself. In tho case of "Del.phine" he has given the gayest and most frivolous .of themes the scjore of a comic opera; indeed, there are times in. the finales when it would seem to the observant that the dignity and grace of the ensembles were almost too good for the ludicrous situations they nre wedded to. There is no nueetion as to the captivating qualities of "Delphine," which is a most appetising mixture of pure farco and .sentiment a la Francais. The first act is very easily the best, nnd the last the least satisfactory. Victor Jolibeau's search after the ideal left shoulder for bis salon picture of Venus rising from the sea does not quite hold the interest to the end. It is the domestic ntfaire of the artist Jolibeau and one Alphonso Bouchotte which forms the argument of the comedy. Jolibenu moves round with a sextet, of models pretty enough, to. cause his wife. Delnhine,. to secure a divorce, and once divorced she marries "the horrid little Bouchotto" in a fit of pique. Victor is so upset by his. wife's Unreasonable ahtion that Tie' - forthwith marries Bouchotto'? d'vorceil wifp Simmm. Both men am callod on to dp their fwenty-eitrht fliys' nrlitary service, and they meet at Brest, where the troops nre in filmr?fl if Colonel Pon)w>ni>t, a military Don Juati nnfl squire of dames. Aβ the officers are all allowed to bring their wives tho wwce'ntiMp colo'"p' lias i> busy time. At Brpst Victor Jolibeau learns Hint bis wealthy nnnle is in town, niifl knowing that lie will bo disinherited if Hip news of his divorce reaches Uncle NooV , ' eni-f. h» up ■mi nmWstandine with Debhine to appear as his wifp for ,i. few hmivs, which situation is made po«iiblp by Bouchotte (linvitiu hpnrd of the colpnel'<! mnormis prnclivitie.«)(havincf pa?=P.d off to that officp- i> Muhly oniafn Porsinn ladv. whose Enclish vornbnlnry is limited to the word "carpets," a. line of 2oods Hint represents lipr conwnprcial mission in lifo. Given this situation the fun is spun out mi the fflbric of Bouchotte's jealousy of Victor, Uncle Noel's perplexity at the whirl of incomprehensible events, /the colonel's little love affairs, and Victor's search after the ideal left shoulder, which he finally finds in the buxom seller of "carpets." Victor finds Delphine indispensable, and Simone yearns for her_ little Bouchotte, eo the fall of the curtain sees a double divorce and dual remarriage in prospect. The comedy is most admirably nlayed. Miss Gladys Moncrieff, who has made rapid progress towards the "stars," was capitally placed as Delphine.. In "Maytihie" this actress showed a surprising capacity for serious work of an emotional character. As Delnhine she is a dear, flighty, irresponsible chit, bright as summer sunshine, and capable of pretty sentimental touches. Hiss Moncrieff invariably sings adorably. Her voice is of the purest musical timbre, and is nlways used with discretion and effect. No outstanding 6olos fall to her lot, but she < was delightful in the concerted numbers,"Oh! Oh! Delphine," and tho duets, "Why Shouldn't You Tell Me That?" aiid ''Can Wo Forget?" (with Mr. Roberts). The next brightest spot in tho comedy was the Bimboula of Miss Florence Young. Aβ the seller of carpets Miss Young, in a striking costume of brilliant orange and green, exhibited all the Tich aplomb, and verve for which ehe is noted. Her clarion voice was heard to advantage in tho duet "Allaballa Googoo." Miss Olive Godwin was well suited to the Tole of tho jealous Simone, and the "Cats" duet (with Miss Moncrieff) i was one of tho features of the-evening. 1 Mr. Leslie Holland was blase and debonnair ns the gallant Colonel Pomponnet, and Mr. Phil Smith cut a comical little figure as Boucholte. He made the vocal comedy hit of the show in the song "Not Your Wife." Mr. Reginald Roberts made a. prepossessing Victor Jolibeau, acting and singing well, and Mr. John Ralston was a hearty and \ jolly Louis Gigoux. Miss Addio Lpunard's assumption of the vinegary duenna Madame Bax (Simone's mother) was a capital bit of comedy character wortc.- Mr. John Fordo was satisfactory as Uncle Noel, though Weak on the vocal side, and Messrs. O. Peacock, Harry Ratcliffc, Harold Reeves, and Miss Dorothy Drew, Wyonne Haybittle nnd Eva Webber, figured in minor roles. The comedy is charmingly elaborated with original and extremely pretty ballots designed by Miss Minnie Hooper. Miss May Bairdj. and Mr."Robert Mackinnon wero responsible for one of those parodies on dancing in which the lady assumes the functions of her partner's necktie. The comedy is prettily mounted, and the producer, Mr. Geo. Highland, deserves infinite credit for the series of brilliant stngn pictures presented. The frocks were lovely in variety of colour and deeign. Mr. E. J. Roberts controlled an efficient orchestra. .