AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 October 1918, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

“ PAUL JONES,”

A NOTAB IYB PE UFO RMANCE

The crowded attendance at the Princess Theatre last night was not unexpected. The fame of the performance appears to ha redone abroad. Besides, local aniateuis have made a name for in comic opera before having the benefit of the talented tuition of .Mr Tom Pollard. With such an instructor lor the talent available, something special was looked for, and the expectations were not in vain. The whole performance was a very notable one, ((cite equal in every respect to the moie expensively priced productions of a similar character which are to be seen in larger centres. The completeness of the production was much remarked upon. Apart Irom the strong' cast, and an orchestra which would do credit to any performance, the whole mounting from the lavish dressing to the brilliant lighting effects, iett nothing to be desired. In many respects the performance last night was one of the finest seen line, im never before by pr.dcs-ieiial or am item’ company lias so complete a pro Inction been put forward. The opera is merry aid bright. T 1 j eat iv -g< >ers of tho days of .Mr Pollard’s juveniles will remember “Paul Jones” when played here before the stage of the l-'tince-s Theatre was enlarged. Cramped and confined as the performers were in those times, memories of the. peilc numoe stdl linger because ot the tunelnl airs which wire all famili-ir when lit ard amnin last night In i lie piv-dnci ion we have in mind, Clarion Mitchell and Maud Beatty were the leading characters of the play, su| ported by. Percy, Stephens, Qnealey and Albert and others of Mr Pollard’s capable pupils who rose to great heights in the profession Last night Mr i oilnrd had a capable cast at his disposal. Ho had qualify and quantity combined in effective strength, and his masterhand produced a performance creditable to all concerned in this distinctive production. The opera is a breezy piece full of fun, which often develops into the broadest of farce. The Inn is fast and furious at times, and the laughs are frequent, and free. The stoiy of the piece has a very humorous setting, and is worked out. on ijiiito orthodox lines. It is illuminated with a line range of musical numbers, including some charming solos, pleasing duets, and much concerted music, notably several fine chorus numbers, in which the ensemble effect was quite electrifying. Musically, Lie opoia, is distinctly entertaining. It is not specially spectacular in its design,-but the stage pictures were always good, heightened as they were by the pleasing light ing effects. Ihe dressing and mounting were probably the most lavish seen in a local production, and the many fine pictures and effective groupings roused the audience to the highest pitch of enthusiasm. Embellishing all this, a.oil adding in a very full measure to the general effect which went to the pronounced success ot the evening's performance, was the spendid aid given by the orchestra. The instrumental portion of the entertainment was a treat all too rarely to he heard here, and the audience showed their appreciation of this important adjunct to the all round success, with unstinted applause for the work of the orchestra.

Of the individual performers, pride of place must be given to Miss E. Perry who gave a most captivating representation ol “ \ vonne,” the heroine of the opera. The character dominates the play both musically and orally and .Miss Perry never lost her grip of the position. Her playing was naturalness itself, quite befitting the action of the character. Her vocal items were among the gems of the opera, and Miss Perry’s excellent training and really brilliant vocalisation enabled her to reproduce them at their full value. This young lady’s performance was altogether excellent, and its artistic success was something to be remarked upon. As the dashing “Paul .Tones,” Mrs W. Staveley who has so often done such genuine amateur work lu re, was very pleasing. Hitherto Mrs Staveley has been organiser ~and producer, and these duties were always most exacting Freed from the tiring responsibilities, Mrs Staveley was able to do a full measure of justice to the character she had to pourtray. Her interpretation was devoid of all stiffness, and her gracefnl methods gave to the leading part that distinction it should l.svo. Mrs Stiwlcv. in her vocal sang mo.-t acceptably, and her success in this respect was noted by the prononneed applause ot the very pleased audience. Mrs Ivon Wilson gave quite a dainty performance of Chopinelte, the wife of the seasoned old smuggler. ihe charaH erisation was good, being always intelligent with forcetulness as required. .Mrs \\ ilsou sang pleasingly and with Miss 1.. Mclntosh rrave the sabot dance successfully, Miss A. Wells has shown herself to he one of our most fitted amateurs. As “ Hufino ” the quasi-villain of the piece, Miss Wells carried through her part with distinction. Her vocal ability is well known, and with her other natural gifts she was able to rrive what is nominally a lesser part, a special distinction of its own. The debut of Miss E. Hatch in comic opera was an acceptable one, though the young lady was a victim of the present epidemic. As •* Malagnena" Miss Hatch disclosed great promise, and is capable of going far with the talents this young lady has.

.M r H. M. Coulson made, the hit of the, evening among the gentlemen. His "Bicoquet” was quite a finished performance in its studied characterisation. Mr Coulson played his farce so seriously ns to make the part doubly humorous, and in every phase of an exacting effort, lie did exceedingly well. As the eccentric “Don Trocadero,” Mr. Ivon Wilson repeated his former success of February last when he did such fine, sustained work in the production of the Gondo- ! liers." As the Governor of Estrella lie entered into the comic side of this stage character with complete abandon. He was grotesquely humorous at every turn ! and carried the house with him nlj ways. His vocal contributions were among the most acceptable in an evening of specially entertaining numbers. The two mariners bold, “Bouillabasc” (the smuggler) and “Petti Pierre” (the insect) are two outstanding characters of the opera. Mr. Pollard selected Mr. ],. McGlnsllan and Master B. Nash, both of Groymouth, for those exacting I parts, and this alliance was a most acceptable one to the audience. The pair were productive oi no end of laughter, in their delivoration of two of the queerest characters of stage land. The two visitors shared with each other the honours of the evening as mirth-mak-j eis. Congratulations to Mr W. Staveley, on his debut in a principal part, that of “Captain Rostral,” which he ; filled with a rollicking air and vigor of ' action which commanded success. Min- ! or ports were filled by Mrs W. Diedrichs i Misses A. Woolhouse, E. Heenan, F. j Mclntosh, A. Naneekivell and M. Rutland, and M essrs A. Nancekivell , and A. Woolhouse. The chorals deserves | special mention on its own account. I There was a galaxy of young ladies who j would have graced any stage. With the voting men, the chorus supplied many effective pictures, and their singing in the concerted work was directly good. Mr I l ’. Resieaux was the conductor .Mrs M. Houston the pianist, and Mr. JL Cullen the leader of the effective orchestra. Mr T. Pollonl jr. was m charge of the electric lighting effects which added so greatly to the whole production. The opera will he repeated to-night and local theatregoers are sure to take their fill of this very enjoyable production. The booking for the two remaining nigts is unusually heavy.

POLLARD’S PICTURES.

next DISPLAY—MONDAY. ] Oil account of the Princess Theatre j being engaged ou Thursday evening for I the performance of “Paul Jones’ tlier,. there will he no display of Pollard’s Pictures until Monday evening—when ! Douglas Fairbanks and Jewel Carmen will be featured on the Triangle film art-play. “Flirting with Fate.” “Doug ’ is seen on one of the best of his breezy Stunts. The 11th chapter of “A I.as s of the Lumherlands,” will he screened oil Monday night and the 12th Chapter on the Thursday following.

McLEAN’S PICTURES.

i “BILLIE BF.UK K,”—FRIDAY, i At tiic Opera House on Friday evon- ' fug Mr McLean will ■ present “The Land of Promise” a production starring Billie Burks by Paramount Pictures Corporation, and discloses the piquant young star as a young English girl whose life has had all the romance .and charm of a mummy’s. That is until she reaches “The Land of Promise”—the land she had dreamed about where all her dreams would come true W. Somerset Maughan, the author, chose Canada to represent this land, but under the sparkling surface of the photoplay, one is made to see that each individual has a “Land of Promise” in his or her own heart, and that happiness lies waiting for us at om very doors. Billie Burke, as flic sunshine, lighting tb c > declining days of the crabbed, wealthy, elderly, Miss Wicltam, teaches a lesson in ardent devotion. But her experience at the Manitoba farm produces an unusual situation, which is gripping in its intensity and wondering anticipation. The rib-tickling humour of John Raymond as Reginald Hornby is irrestiblc and provides a delightful contrast from the picture of the queer, contented home life of Norali. The exceptional circumstances surround- , i„g her, misahle life in the rough en- , vironment of the farming community, culminates in the extraordinary marriage to the rough uncouth farmer. “The Dr cat Secret.” the interesting serial, ! will also ho continued.