FLORODORA

Gisborne Times, Volume LXI, Issue 9847, 28 October 1924, Page 7

FLORODORA

GISBORNE AMATEUR OPERATIC

COMPANY

For its production this s’ ear the Gisborne Amateur Operatic Society chose Leslie Stuart’s well-known twoact musical comedy “Florodora” and the initial staging took place at the Opera House last night before a good audience, though the downstairs portion of the theatre was not so well patronised as might have been expected. ‘Florodora” in common with the majority of musical comedies has little plot, tlio various incidents and songs hanging together by a mere thread. “Florodora” is a tropic isle on which the wealthy Cyrus Gilfain manufactures liis well-known perfume. Among ’liis workers is a girl Dolores to whom the millionaire pays particular/ attention on-'account, „it is surmised, of her prepossessing appearance. The fact is, however, that Dolores’ father was tho original owner of the island and of the secret of tho perfume, hut both were stolen from.him by Gilfain, who was then in tho employ of tho girl’s father. Dolores of course knows nothing oi this until it is revealed to her late in the story by ono Tweedlepunch, a plirenoligist. How Tweedlepunch frightens Gilfain into a confession of his dishonesty brings the play to a close. Interwoven of course in the main theme are several complicated love affairs which needless to say all end happily.

! As Dolores, Mrs Ralph Wildish achieved an outstanding success, both in her acting and her singing. On her first appearance the popular perfonner was accorded & ovation. Mrs | Wildish appears to snow improvement on every visit to Gisborne and her performance last , evening was worthy of a high-class professional ] company. Her opening number ‘/Silver Star of Love” gave an indication of the high standard to which this performer has attained. The top notes were taken with the greatest of ease, and tho number was given with much expression and sympathy. Needless to say a delighted audience insisted on l a recall. Equal success followed the I duet “Somebody” with Mr Bignell as Ahercocd. In the second act Mrs Wildish’s solo was “Queen of the Philippine Islands” and was repeat--1 cd in response to popular demand. I As tho male lead Mr W. Bignell may ho bracketted with Mrs Wildish in tho outstanding honors of the evening. Mr Bignell lias lost that ; stage nervousness to which lie was j formerly subject and his voice is ! much more mellow and truer in every respect. This was particularly notice- ■ able in his big solo “The Shade of the Palm” which drew forth prolonged and enthusiastic applause, and the singer was compelled to repeat the number which was given with equal success. In the duet “Somebody” with Mrs Wildish the two voices hlencled admirably. Mr Bignell also put a good performance, though rather brief, in the second act, where disguised as a hard lie visits the family castle.

As Lady Holyrood Miss Doris Webb was very successful, and must he highly complimented on her progress since her appearance on the stage last year. Last night she both sang and acted with vivacity and spirit. Miss Webb’s voice is not particularly strong, hut she knows how to make foil use of it v L"?.. good stage appearance, and” Speaks her lines well. Her first number was “When I. Leave Town” which she gave in a very animated,manner. and was vociferously encored: Miss Webb also scored in the trio “J. Want to Marry a Man T Do” sung with Messrs Sinclair and Zachariali. In the second act Miss Webb sang “Tact” which was also very successful. As Angela Gilfain Miss- Lucy Wheeler gave a good performance as far as her acting and her spoken lines were concerned, hut was not so successful in her musical numbers, Mr W. J. Sinclair had much work to do as Cyrus Gilfain and came through it creditably, securing all the dry humor in the character. Pie was hardly quite so successful, however, with his vocal numbers. Much of the fun of the play fell to Mr A. Zachariali as Professor Tweedlepunch and his antics, particularly with Dolores before Gilfain’s guests. In the “minstrel” scene outside the Oastle he raised continuous roars of laughter. Mr Zachariali was also excellent in his phrenological scene on the island, laughter from the audience greeting every action. As Gapt. Arthur Donegal All- C. V’. Harre did not have a very impartant part, but it was given in his usual capable manner, and his one solo “J. Want To Be a Military Alan” was sung with a swing that made it one of the best numbers of the evening. Air J. A. Nicol was cast in the minor part of Leandro, the overseer of the island, and gave a satisfactory performance. The remainder of the cast is as follows: G'ilfain’s clerks, Ai'essrs B. Haache, A. Allan, H. W, Gibbs, T. File, W. McKcague, W. AlacClure; Florodorsan girls: Misses E. Hooper, D. AlcKonzie, Z. Lunn, R. Harris, H. Smith,. R„ Ivess; friends of Angela Gilfain, Misses Davidson, Aloran, 11. Zachariali, Ogier, Raeburn and D. Pearson.

Ono of the disappointments of the play is the chorus work, which is woefully weak, the singers at times being hardly heard above the orchestra. This was particularly noticeable in tho opening, “ Flowers A-Bloom-ing So Gay”. Of tho choruses, the male sextette is undoubtedly the strongest section, which was evident in tho well-known number “Tell Ale Pretty Maiden” where the male voices completely overshadowed the female voices.

The stage settings, lighting, ballets, drill, costumes etc., were deserving of the highest commendation and reflected the greatest credit on the producer, Air Theo. Tresize. The scenery in the first act was a fern glade in the island of Florodora with the blue sea as a background and a beach in the distance. In tho second act the scene represented the garden of a castle with its beautiful green -walks and shrubberies in the far distance. The scenery, which was highly commended on.all sides, was tho work of Air T. G. Johns. The orchestra which plays a large and important part in any play, was under Air A. E. Lawrence, musical director, with Airs Alainland Foster- as lion, pianist and Air J. Vita as leader.

“Florodora” will ho repeated this evening. S’eats may bo booked at Miller’s Corner.