'THE MERRY WIDOW'

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 135, 24 June 1937, Page 12

'THE MERRY WIDOW'

\ Last Night's Performance in Hastings A CAPABLE COMPANY Colourful and joyous, a creation of the days when the waltz-song was Austria's life and aoul, "The Merry Widow33 last night made yet another conquest in Hastings in some respects reminiscent of its sensational debut about a quarter of a century ago. A particularly capable company, assembled by J. C. Williamson's Ltd., staged this famous comic opera before a full house in the Hastings Municipal Theatre last evening. Featuring the waltz theme with lively march-time variations, providing seope for comedy interludes and ruhning to flights of light opera for eaeh curtain of the three acts, the play demanded a cast of widely-varied attainments. There were times when the action lagged a little and the implications of Maxim's did not seem as "naughty" as they used to be considered, but that was because everything has increased in pace in these times of speed, and notions of what is daring have advanced considerably. Gladys Monerieff, with her delightful singing voice and vital personality, made a thoroughly satisfying Sonia, and her renderings of "Villia" and "In Marsovia" are not likely to be soon forgotten. Mr Ceeil Kellaway kept the audience chuclrling even when the Temarks he had to make were not Teally as amusing as he made them sound. His gambols in the septette, Women," were mirthprovoking, but his tale of the tragic adventures of Hettie the hen was certainly a gem of its kind. Hastings audiences have not forgotten Mr Don Nicol's last appearance here. Last night again his facial expression, weird posturing and grotesque daneing were displayed to advantage. A pleasing voice and easy manner made Mr Erie Bush a likeable Danilo. Miss Isabel Cue was a vivacious FrouFrou. Mr Ian Devereaux played the sinister part of Khadja well and Mr Peter Dawson portrayed the rathter hysterical General Novikovich hilariously. Mr Arthur Clarke, as the Vicomte Camille de Jolidon, looked his part and displayed a fine singing voice in "Lovd in my Heart," and "A Dutiful Wife." Miss Carmen Mascagni, who played Natalie, had one of the best roles in the play and did it justice. Other smaller parts were played by Miss Leslie Crane and Messrs Leslie Donaghey, Ceeil Pawley and Gerald Conolly. The Marsovian daneing at the opening of the second act has always been a feature in previous productions and it is a pity that more was not made of it on the present oecasion. The daneing at Maxim 's, too was not as abandoned as it nsually is. The scenery and stage effeets .wero effective and the niodern and Marsovian costumes were picturesque. The chorujj

did its work well and the orchestra% under the baton of Mr F. Qnintrell provided an accompaniment of & high standard. Altogether it was a delightful show. Hastings audiences are recognised by touring theatrical companies as being among- the most appreciative in provincial towns. They are always assured of a full house every night, patrons tiavelling from Napier and Central Hawke's Bay to attend. Last night was no exception, although the weather was cold and wet, and it will be recalled that "The White Horse Inn" played in Hastings for a week. It is, thorefore, somewhat dasappointing that the present season should have been made so brief. A clear indication has already been given that two nights will be insufficient to enable all who wish to see the operas to do so