ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 33, 8 February 1913, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

■ ■ «t» "DOROTHY.", NEW COMIC OPERA COMPANY. There were necessarily' very many at the Opera House last night who were unborn, un thought of, when "Dorothy" burst like a brilliant tourbillon delighting a jaded London and sending its dazzling rays. out as far as , Australia.. That was — how many years ago? Twentyfive? Fully that. Ahd yet.it has been played syery- many times since then under the Williamson aegis, and as many times has it given infinite pleasure to the rising generation as well as to those whom it delighted when they themselves were young. Last evening the Opera House was filled , to the last seat, so great a hold on the theatregoers— youngi and old— does "Dorothy" still retain. 'The question naturally arose: Why was riueh good wine kept for 'the end'of the feast? Since "Dorothy" .first delighted (since even- George Lauri played Lurcher for the last time) there has been a long procession of "girl" Operas allegedly comic They have passed, the one the other, lucrative as they were, into the limbo of forgotten attractions, and ■ "Dorothy" survives as fresh as cowslips, as dainty as lavender. • • • ,Tho performance last evening in every respect conformed to the Williamson traditions. < Miss Amy Murphy, for example, was admirably cast as "Dorothy.". Time has mellowed her voice and, beautiful as it always was, itiis clearly now in its prime, and besides, Miss Amy. Murphy 'has acquired much ' experience which comes only by "doing" things,- and which she turned 'to profitable account last night. She certainly entered into the spirt of "Dorothy." Measured by the spontaneous applause which was accord 1 ed her, -Miss -Amy- Murphy's appearance as* Dorothy last, night was an emphatic success. Miss Sybil Arundale's conception' of Lydia Hawthorne was bright, vivacious, intelligent, remarkable in short, for the possession of gifts additional to a charming voice. "Miss Dorothy Bfunton'ft opportunities lor distinction as Phyllis Tuppitt were but few, but they were 'all effectively utilised. She shared ' most liberally in the recalls which were ' as demonstrative as they were numerous. Miss Celia Ghiloni was cast for a con-, genial part, to wit, Mrs Privett. Mr. W. S. Percy's , Lurcher was a work of art. Besides possessing .th* divine grace of humour Mr. Percy has the power to set a house laughing by a mere wink. He is. that extremely rare bird, a comedian who is really - funny, Mr. Reg. Roberts's reading of the part of Geoffery Wilder, was his own» and a most agreeable one too. . His ■ chaiicb came in "A Man of High Degree," for which he was deservedly recalled. Mr. W. Talleur Andrews as Harry Sherwood made a great impression with his singing "Queen'of My Heart To-night," and >w,ith his handling of the part generally. Mr. Victor Prince was an imposing Squire Bantam. He was a- trifle husky, perhaps, in his song, "Here's .tosthe M..n Who's Content with His. Lot." John Tuppett afforded Mr.. E. Sherras ifcut little opportunity beyond a pleasing reading of the song "A Father's Pride." <• The choral and orchestral work was good all through, and the dances, were delightful. Another presentation ,of "Dorothy" to-night will conclude the season.