" PAUL JONES."

Hokitika Guardian, 1 October 1918, Page 4

" PAUL JONES."

TO-MORROW (WEDNESDAY.) Commencing to-morrow (Wednesday) and continuing on Thursday and Friday evening, Theatre goers will have an opportunity of witnessing a rendering of comic opera by Hokitika, amateurs under f,he staging and coaching of professional producer; and Mr. Tom Pollard has a peculiarly happy faculty of imparting his knowledge to others and better still getting from them that earnestness and attention that gives the real atmosphere to the stage picture. In this particular asset they exhibit more respect for their audience than do many professionals—Mrs Stavely, Miss A. Wells, Mrs L. Wilson and .Miss Perry, have done good amateur work in the Gondoliers —the same may l,e said of Mr. Ivon Wilson, the newcomers in comic opera being Miss E. Hatch and Mr. H. Coulson, and the two Greymoutli amateurs, Mr. Lon MeGlaslian and Master Reggie Nash/the latter is only a youth and Mr Pollard is evidently swayed by the great success Mr. C. Albert (The Insect) made of the pint when only practically a child. Mrs Stavoley is well cast as “Paul Jones” and should give a good account, of herself in the part—Miss Edna Perry is the Yvonne and her beautiful soprano voice is particularly suited to the scena, “Before the Altar.” The walk', number is the first act, as well as the duet. “A Little Bird on Weary Wing’’ with Paul, .Tones and the charming and dainty “Shipping Duet” with “Bicoquet”, Mr. H. Conlson. Miss Wells as a very fine Spanish solo, “A Lost Dove” in the first act and mi more charming number than the serenade lit the opening of the second act is in the score, Mrs Ivon Wilson’s singing contributions are in the lighter vein her chief number being the quaint song

“Look at my Sabots” a character sketch that is followed by a dog trio, danced by Mrs Ivon Wilson and the two Msses Mclntosh. Miss E. Hatch as Mnlaquena, has no solo work—the part being more on the dramatic side, but a lot of important work falls to her share in the ducts, trios and ensembles. Smaller parts are played by Miss A. Woollioii.se, Mrs W. Deidriclis, Miss E. Hceiian. Miss E. Mclntosh, Miss A Nancekevill and Miss Butland. Mr. 11. M. Coulson as “Bicoquet” and Mr. Ivon Wilson as the eccentric “Trocadero” are well cast. Messrs W. Stavoley, A. Woolliouse , D. Heeuan, and A. Nancekivell are seen in small parts. The two comedians that hear the brunt- of the. first two acts find strong opponents in the two Greymoutli amateurs —Mr. Lon McGlashan and Master Reggie Nash—and when tliis duet is made a trio by the coming of Mr. Ivon Wilson in the fil'd act- as “Trocadero” laughter reigns supreme. Mention must be made of the splendid choruses —'“Maidens of St. Malo” “The Serenade.” “True to His Troth”, “He Looked at. my Sabots,” the splendid ensemble at the end of the 2nd act and

the delightful number, “Till the Light Fades Away” with its wealth of coloured light, a)id tlie quaint gliding eastern dance. The orchestra, under Mr. Fred Resteaux will practically be a professional one. Prices .'ls 2s and Is plus war tax, with no extra charge for booking in D.O. and front stalls is certainly on the popular side for opera.