“SNOW-WHITE”

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 201, 20 May 1921, Page 6

“SNOW-WHITE”

AN ENCHANTING FAIRY OPERA Clever brains allied to an exquisite fancy have in "Snow-White," produced, an old-time fairy opera of rare quality, and Miss G. Helen Gard’ner, who was responsible for its production at tho Opera House last evening, is to be congratulated firstly on the wisdom of liar choice, and secondly on a performanc® that gave genuine pleasure to all who were present. A very pretty story lias been welded to a musical score' of distinct merit. Not only do good fairies and their woodland allies contend successfully with witches of evil, but there is an air of charming romance running through tho web of the story, whilst. the whole is sprinkled with a kindly humour that, in its very simplicity, is refreshing and stimulating. Tho performance, for a first night,' was exceptionally good. Perhaps never has Wellington seen so many of its own young ones gathered together on the one stage so felicitously. One and all seemed to be enamoured of their own parts, and threw al! their grace and energy into their performance. There was, here and there, a "wait” owing to misunderstandings over encores, and truth to tell the opera would run along more smoothly if all encores wore barred, as it finished fully twenty minutes too late last evening. "Snow-White" is a changeling princess, whom the snow fairies convey in earliest babyhood to the Court of Poppyland, where rules a giddy old king and a very wicked queen. So wicked is th® Queen that when her magic mirror tells her that Snow-White is destined to obliterate her own power and beauty, the royal hussy, seeking the aid of the Mountain Witch attempts Snow-White’s death. So it happens that Snow-White wandering in the woods, falls asleep. She is discovered there by the Seven Little Dwarfs —small twisted gnomes with grey beards —who, kind in heart, advised by the Forest Queen —an cver-so-good fairy—ask Snow-White to stay with them. She consents, and all goes well until the disguised Queen arrives on the scene with a poisoned comb. The death of the little Princess would have ensued there and then but for the timely arrival of the Prince of Arcady, who, as a matter of course, finds in Snow-White the idol of his dreams. The Queen comes again on murder bent, this time with a poisoned apple and 'being fond of fruit. SnowWhite eats thereof, and falls into a death-like trance. The Dwarfs mourn and the forest fairies lament. Love finds a way. however, and the Prince, discovering his sweetheart’s state, has her conveyed to the Court of Poppyland, where he confronts the Wicked Queen with her crime, and so breaks the spell and releases Snow-White from lier trance. All this takes place to the lilt of melodious music mazy dances, and much, nuttering on the part of the wood fairies, dwarfs, and courtiers. Miss Ngaire Phipson acted the_ title role with modest refinement and sincerity, and was in every respect the nicemannered, warm-hearted little lady the Princess should he. A performance was that of Joyce ™’ aa : made the Forest Queen a dehghtf illy intelligent sprite, with meaning in every gesture and glance. Her fairy dance and Eastern divertissement were < ’uong the best of the terpsichorean items. Misa Zita Chapman made a handsome and. with fine assurance and c ' an F? . . was just the type of Pnnce Charming -anv Princess would fall in love wit especially in such monstrous fine cloth ®®- X Mary Cooley was particularly ocod as Lady Constance, a person of very definite views, and a hot tongue. Miss Leah Hyman, as the Disguised Ouc»n was as obnoxious os the -part demanded, and Miss Bessie Thomson as the Wicked Queen, was a termqgent emthroned. Miss M. Shearer showed a nice talent in natural tumourin tho dual parts of Poggia and the Court Jester, and Mrs. A. B. Gard’ner as the oenial King exercised <a • honour that was almost Gilbertmn in flavour. Dances, in tho prettae-t ana. most fantastic dresses, were hv Zelran Onroll, Thelma jrKenz’e. Sinclair Breen, and Joan Beere, whilst many others participated in the many pretty ballets and court dance-. No section of the cast was more popular tonn the Seven Little Dwarfs whose quaint antics and sober humour | lcl - ed everyone. A compact little under Mr. J. F. Woodward, lent xoluablo aid to the performance Mrs. Janies Hannah took a hand in designing the dresses, and Misses Estellp Beere Gladys Campbell, Dorothy Saunders, and W flimsier taught the various dances. "Snow-White” mil be played again thia evening and to-mowow night Ite success last evening should guarantee co successful season.