“THE CINGALEE”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20046, 19 September 1939, Page 3

“THE CINGALEE”

AMATEUR PRODUCTION FIRST NIGHT SUCCESS TALENT IN ABUNDANCE Produced for the first time in Gisborne last evening, the light opera "The Cingaiee” fulfilled the expectations of a large audience, and added another success to a creditable list already established by the Gisborne Operatic Society. Full of colour and abounding in tuneful melodies, the play was performed with distinction by a cast which included several players whose names had not previously been featured. Tlie book is not one to strain tiro attention of an audience, and the success of tlie presentation depends almost entirely upon tlie choice of a suitably gifted cast. The story is that the lion. Harry Vcrckcr, a tea planter in Ceylon, wishes to marry a highborn Cingaiee masquerading as a teagirl, the girl being betrothed to a Ceylonese nobleman from whose authority she is finally rescued by the combined efforts of Voreker, his sister Lady Patricia, Bobby Warren, Peggy Sabine, and a Babu lawyer. It is all highly improbable, and the intricacies of the story are so slight that a producer lias no difficulty in interpolating suitable features of interest, { Miss Halbert's Rich Soprano In the case of tlie Gisborne society’s production, a number of ballets, and a specialty dance have been included, with benefit to tlie show as a whole. The character of Nanoya, tlie highborn tea-girl, is taken by Miss Eirene Halbert, whose rich soprano voice was a great asset to the general performance, and whose unaffected portrayal was exceptionally popular. As the Hon. Harry Vcreker, Mr. Stan Vincent also did extremely well, displaying assurance from the start and making good use of his baritone voice. La’dv Patricia Vereker, sister of the Hon. Harry, was represented by Miss O. Chambers, who did tlie part full justice and was particularly effective in dialogue.

As Peggy Sabine, the London girl who helps Nanoya to happiness through the agency of her Babu friend, 'Mrs. V. Hale was equally successful. and in her singing and dancing, particularly in duets with Mr. Will B. Keany. who took the part of Chambuddy Ram, the Babu, she made a fine impression. Mr. Keany was easy and accomplished in all that he did, and made the most of an excellent comedy part. Veterans in Good Form Another part with plenty of good material was that of Bocbhamba, a nobleman of Kandy, whose heavy hand lies upon the heroine, and is finally thrown off in the last scene. This "part is taken by Mr. W. G. Bignell, a veteran of amateur productions. who gave a convincing performance. as also did Mr. W. J. Sinclair in the part of Sir Peter Loftus, an elderly romantic who blamed a good deal on the climate of Ceylon.

Minor parts were filled by Mr. W. Lysnar, as an Indian servant of Sir Peter Loftus, Mr. A. C. Coleman, as captain of Boobhamba’s guard, Miss N. Glanvillc. as Angy Loftus. Mr. C. V. Harre as Bobby Warren, one of Vereker’s friends and cadets, Mesdames A. C. Coleman, K, Smith and C. Smith, and Miss B. Glanville as tea girls on the plantation, Mrs. Roseman and Misses M. Hcaslip, J. Coleman ami E. McCarthy as the governesses of Angy Loftus. Messrs. P. R. Hockley, A. Harre, A. Webster ancl T. Martin as cadets, and Messrs. J. C. Sutcliffe and C. F. Smith as guards.

Always a strong feature of the Gisborne society’s productions, the chorus work was as good in last nights performance as in any opening night lot a number of years. The strength ol the singing, ancl entrances and exits, ancl the business on the stage were carried out with case and naturalness, and there was a definite snap in the response of the chorus to the demands of the major scenes.

Life and Colour in Ballet

A number cf ballet numbers were interpolated with good efl’ect, and added liveliness and colour to the play, each appearance ot the ballet being greeted with applause, and the verve and accuracy of the dancing fully merited the appreciation shown by the audience. A particularly well-executed ballet was that early in the second act. at the palace of Boobhamba, on the banks of the Lake of Kandy. “New Year Revellers” was another number which gave much satisfaction, a solo specialty by Mr. Tom Martin being warmly applauded . The introduction of an adagio dancing specialty into the play was a happy idea, and Messrs. Tom Martin and A. W. Hambling, with Miss M. Croskery as the third member of their trio, made the best of a good opportunity for a spectacular turn. In every detail, the performance was a credit to Mrs. Mcßeath, the producer, whose painstaking work had its due reward in the success -of the initial presentation. The services of an experienced and highly capable stage manager, Mr. A. J. N’.col, contributed largely to the happy atmosphere which prevailed, and a full orchestra under the direction of Mr. Wilfiicl Kohn gave an excellent rendering of the lively music, a feature being the understanding between the orchestra and the soloists. Stage appointments and costuming also were extremely effective, and the production as a whole left little to be desired.