“THE GONDOLIERS."

Hokitika Guardian, 7 February 1918, Page 1

“THE GONDOLIERS."

WELL DONE, HOKITIKA!

The expectations raised as to the success- of the Hokitika amateurs in the comic opera. “The Gondoliers,” were fully realised last night in t'ue very sterling performance at the Princess Theatre. There was a hamper attend-

ance and the audience was raised to the 'highest pitch of enthusiasm. The stage spectacle was a delightful one, and the whole production from overture to finale reflected the greatest Credit- on all concerned.

The opera deals with an imaginary condition of affairs fixed in the 17-TO period, hut the topsey turvey'.plot am. its travesty on republican ideas where everybody is at the head of hi s department, and subjects change places with Kings, might lit events to-day transpiring on the other side of the world. The store is humorous hut told as Gil-

bert alone could deal with the subject Ftis lines contain a wealth of meaning

for they are a'tabloid edition of liunia

character met with all through life. The music fits the story like a well-made glove. It is bright and merry, and there is not a dull moment. TJie com-

poser of the music has caught the moon of the writer of the dialogue to a nicety and the success of the collaboration is most marked. The progress of the opera sparkles alternately with music and mirth, and it was this (high class

material the local amateurs had to work They did so admirably, far exceeding expectations, well earning the commendations passed by Mr. Tom Pollard and others who were privileged to witness the final rehearsals. AA'heii Mrs W. Stave ley set out to organise the cast for the production, the lady essayed a very difficult task. Or-

dinarily it would have been believed to be beyond possibility. Mrs Staveley persevered where others might have heed discouraged, kept on trying when others might have given up the work as hopeless. Mrs Staveley possesses marked ability herself, certainly unquenchable energy, and tel this must he added a prescience to seek our in advance as it were, just what is wanted. War conditions and departures have robbed her of some of the former associates in amateur theatricals, but making a very happy choice of local ma-

terial unexpected talent was revealed. To this was added, the help of some visi tors who proved hosts in themselves, and presto, what is quite a distinctive cast, was provided. Mrs Stavelev’s main object in promoting the opera was to do something tangible for the patriotic fmids. To this end her plans wore laid economically, fn Air Staveley there was at her right hand, the right man in the right place Mr Staveley-lias put .in an immense amount of work with the preparations for the production. He has worked long and late and his work has been indispeVisible. Like his good wife’s it has been all honorary and for the cause in hand. In the same way the performers 'helped generously by providing their own wardrobes, and thus have

expenses been kept down and the lien-' taken on a practical shape for the patriotic cause. Of the individual performers in lasi night’s pronounced success it would he hard to place one couple before another In the name part Mrs Stave-ley (Marco) and Miss A. Nichols (Guiseppi) were dashing Gondoliers, who deserved to he favoured by the Contadine. The ladies both acted their parts captivatingly, u'hile in the musical section they were always prominent, and divided honours as chief favourites with the audience. Their wives Miss lidna Perry (Gianetta) and Mrs Ivon Wilson (Tessa) were probably unmatchable in their dual daintiness. They were an instant success. Miss Perm's singing in particular would give her a foremost place in any eon.itellation of stars. Mrs Ivon Wilson possesses a charm of her own, and the two conjoined supplied an interpretation of the parts enacted which left little indeed to he desired. Mr Jvoi Wilson (the Duke of Plaza Toro) ant: Mrs W. Wilson (the Duchess) were responsible for the merry humour of the evening. The ducal scenes were all most entertaining, the Duke and Duchess carrying themselves with that dignity or abandon, as their fortunes and moods for the moment demanded. Mrs. W. Wilson was quite a delight as the Duchess, and carried through the character with a due regard for all the stage traditions for such a part, Miss Jessie Davidson (Casilda) and Miss Alice Wells (Luiz), were the surprises of the evening. Never have two amateurs been more congenially cast, and able to, fill their parts with such special distinction. They gave a superb presentation both vocally and histrionically, with the result that their parts stood out for the remarkable delicacy i of treatment and sympathy in human interpretation. Mr. Cyril Irwin (The Inquisitor) and Mrs liowe (Inez) filled their part s most eommendahly. Mr Irwin portrayed Don Alhambra with well balanced attention to detail, and scored deservedly in his popular solo. Mrs Rowe did her small part the fullest justice —a fact which emphasises the care with which the cast was organised. Minor parts were filled by Misses Hecnah, Nancckivell, Huston, Valentino, Bentley, Shand and Mrs D. Hunter. Here again were evidences of Mrs Stave ley’s judgment in selection. Mrs Hunter’s rollicking song at the introduction, wont, capitally, and like other pleasing episodes of the evenin, roused the audience to a high pitch of enthusiasm. The characters enumerated were supported by gondoliers, contadine, men-at arms, herald and pages, all filling a part and doing it well. The dressing was lavish and the stage appointments impressive. The two scenes were very pleasing indeed, tlie first being heightened in realism by the gondola plying hither and thither, for which Mr. Findlav (stage mechanic) was responsible. Brief reference only has been .made to the mnSical *193 of th& production—:■

vet of course it was the chief element contributing to the . evening’s pronounced success. There was a very yapablo orchestra, augmented for the occasion, under the baton of Mr. F. Jlcstieaux. This laid the foundation lor the genuine work done by the chorus and principals. Mrs Houston presiding at the piano lias been the leading instrumentalist from. tile inception oi the practices. The. whole performance went with a wonderful swing, enabling each part to fit in that smooth running sequence, which gives added pleasure to tin* all-round success. Here mention should ho made of the much -appreciated dancing and other revels, and the fine grouping and stage pictures which were presented. The whole was one long line of success, stamping the event as a very memorahlo record in the history of local theatricals. As has been mentioned before, Airs Staveley wa s the organiser of the pro-, detion, and did all the initial training. Some ten days ago, Afr. Tom pollard came readily to assist and supervise, and did wonderful work in the . snort time at his disposal. Mr. AV. E, Terry was mainly responsible for the musical preparation, and would have continued as conductor hut for indisposition, when Mr. Restienux came forward and devoted his talents in attaining tin final success. The promoters would lie much indebted to Air. Staffan, Aft-. AlcKay and Mr. Clarkson of Greymoutli for assistance 1 with the orchestra. To one and all every praise is due for the pronounced all round success achieved.

TO-NIGHT. The opera, will be repeated at the Princess Theatre to-niglit. After last night’s remarkable success, the fame of the performance will spread,, and bumper houses should he recorded for the remainder of te season. The final production takes place at the Princess Theatre to-morrow evening.

A’esterday ' afternoon Afr. Tom Pol lard, called away to Wellington sudden IV. wired Airs .Staveley as follows

“.Host wishes for a big success for every body. Kia ora.” Mr. Pollard will be pleased to bear to-day that his wishes were handsomely fulfilled.

Many floral tributes were handed to the principals during .the progress of the Opera last evening. Among the number were several handsome houquest.s tastefully decorated with the colors of the recipients. A feature 'of last evening's production was the punctuality observed by the amateur management. On the stroke of S o’clock the orchestra, were playing the strains of the National Anthem. AA 7 itli so large a company engaged, some 7-1 performers in all, this was very creditable indeed.