THE GEISHA.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 January 1921, Page 2

THE GEISHA.

A SPARKLING SUCCESS

Last night there was a friendly invasion of Hokitika by the Greymouth amateurs to produce the comic opera “The Geisha” at the Princess Tliteatre. The performers, a large company, arrived by special train, and later were welcomed at the theatre by a crowded house. The performance was a finished Polalrd production, and the audience was a delighted one. The story of the opera is well known, and interests throughout. The staging was all that could be desired. The scenic setting was very tasteful, and the crowded stage of appropriately dressed folk made a pleasing picture. The effect was ’heightened with electric lighting, and the whole was a presentation greatly to the delight of the audience, which followed the music and incidents of the opera with close and appreciative attention.

The special charm of last night’s production was Miss Helen Gardiner who had made the leading part something oi her own in previous performances in various parts of the Dominion. The good reports of this young lady’s talented representation were well sustained, and the audience enjoyed a most delightful representation. Miss Gardiner was quite at home in every phase of the character, and gave the whole production a special distinction. Her vocal efforts were a particular delight, and every note, as every movement, pleased the audience greatly. Miss Gardiner was indeed a happy choice for the part so charmingly filled. Miss Vera Hannan as the French tea girl, gave a most consistent rendition of the character part, and won distinct kudos in every appearance. The Geisha girls forming the support were ahlv portrayed by a well selected caste, the young ladies making a very creditable impression. As the Marquis Alaii, Air ,]. O’Sullivan rose to becoming melodramatic heights in the pourtrayal of this familiar stage figure, and his acting left little to he desjred. Air T. Clark’s Captain Katana was notable for his pleasing vocal efforts, which were greatly to the delight of the audience, which fain would have heard more from this pleasing voice. Air Len McGlashan just levelled in the part of Wun Hi: He did a heavy night’s work, and neither the actor nor the audience wearied of each other—the hall mark of a comedian’s marked success. He gave an excellently sustained characterisation of the wily Chinaman, and stood out as one of the special successes of the evening. Airs W. Staveley who headed the English ladies, was Lady Constance, and discharged her part with credit. As the foil to several of the other parts, Mrs Staveley acted with becoming mien, and altogether made a pleasing impression. Her topical song pleased the audience immensely. The young ladies supporting Lady Constance were good, Miss Y . Kettle i*i particular giving a vivacious performance. The Molly Soamore of Airs C. G. Moss was another very bright spot in the good caste. Her pleasing appearance and well sustained presentment, touched with the light and shade necessary to bring out the part, was really all that could be desired. Air W. Fraser as Lieut Fairfax was a dashing officer whose vocal efforts evoked great applause. In the principal male character he had onerous duties to discharge, and these were carried out very happily. His solos, as also his duets with .Mimosa San and Molly Seamore, were all well received, and added to the uniform success of the" evening. The officers in support were well filled, and Master Nash again delighted the local audience with his light- comedy. The chorus stood out as quite the finished product of the producer’s art. Here in particular was noticed the careful attention to detail for which Mr Tom Pollard lias been ever notable. The chorus did excellently, and filled the stage and the picture admirably. The various supernumaries were no less successful in the complete detail of their parts. In not a single respect did the production fall short of the best amateur performance to he seen in the Dominion, and Air Pollard, as veil as our Greymouth friends, arc to he congratulated on this high water mark of success. Mention must lie made of the consistent aid lent by a well balanced orchestra, under the leadership of Mr R. Cullen, while Air H. Hawkins was the conductor presiding over the whole musical production which was received so heartily by the audience.

TO-NIGHT. The opera will be repeated here tonight for the last time. Theatre goers will find it a complete change from the eternal picture show, and a most delightful holiday event. The performance is much above the average success scored by amateurs, for 'the whole production leaves very little to he desiied indeed. Last night’s bumper house should be emulated again this evening.