A KISS FOR CINDERELLA

Hokitika Guardian, 2 August 1929, Page 3

A KISS FOR CINDERELLA

Fairy stories always arrest the attention, and the author of “A Kiss for Cinderella” is a master-mind with fairies. Has he not created his own orand of fairies in “Peter Pan” and that delightful play is going to live forever. Last niglit St. Paul’s Dramatic Club staged the play .under the direction of Rev. .Knowles-Smith, who must be complimented on his judgment in selecting such a play and the allround caste he was able to present, liie play is something different from the usual stage presentation. It has a very novel setting—a warped imagination of the evergreen Cinderella story conceived by a girl of the slums. But .lie play has been prepared by a master hand, and it is for the characters to present te story in its very interesting setting. There was a capital attendance, Princess Theatre being full. Ihe audience was attentive, being engrossed throughout in the theme in which the members acquitted themselves well. There was some tendency to drag at the outset, but that soon passed, and the play went forward with a zest, and the final scenes were very capably done. The staging was good, ind the dressing striking, and altogether there was a very fine performance.

The caste was a long one. Miss Nan Reid was the /bright and cheery Cinlerella, p mrtraying the. character in a convincing manner. . Her. by-play was well and. altogether it was a . pleasing presentation.; - It is rften difficult for females to assume male characters, but Miss, Pollock handl >d the character of the Policeman with much attention to the stage detail sur : rounding that officer, and gave good uipport to the heroine right to the eiv' when as all good fairy stories should, sney end happily. Mr Bulpin wa aste as the kind Mr Bodie, and bore limself well. Of special merit was Miss Musgrove’s portrayal of the statue Venus, necessarily a silent part, hut demanding a long sustained im-

movable pose. Miss Jean Duff also deserves mention for her part in the sculptor’s room as the Penguin, and later in the marriage ceremony as the Bishop, another figment of. Cinderella’s wonderful imagination. The- second scene was greatly brightened by the wails in,the boxes, namely English (Betty Cook) French (Cpra Lynn), Belgian (Betty Delbrklge) and German (Paul Sparkes). The firstnamed recited “Ye of England,” with good declamation, while Cora Lynn sang the French National An "hem in the .vernacular, and carried on her conve.i/sntipn in French as to the manner born.' Some visiting clients in this scene creditably performed in the person of Miss .Spa oL's Maloney), Miss Berry (Marion), Mr L. Cederman (gentleman), Mr G., Delbridge (workman),, while. Cinderella and the Policeman were,responsible again for many humorous situations. Miss Ada Lynn spoke her lines well as the Fairy Godmother who grants the three wishes of ■’inderella as,she sleeps.

We are now at the third scone,‘the Ballroom, and this special scene was handled convincingly. There was a large party including the following: HIR.H. the King (Mr G. Kennedy); H.R.H. the Queen (Miss WyliA • H.R.H. Prince Hard to Please (Miss, Evans) ; Lord Mayor (Air 'CL Sparkes); Lord Times (Mr F. Johnstone); Censor (Mr N. Houston); Beauties (Misses Sherman and Boyd, two ugly sisters; Kennedy, Cook, Streeter, Jolley and Robinson); attendants, Chief in Gold (Mr G. Oliver); assistants (Messrs W. Spargo and T. Wood!)urn). There was some clever characterisation in this weh-dressed scene. The parade of the beauties was a feature really well done, while the entry of the Royal party was fittingly performed. In the po art royal of her character Miss B. Evans as the Prince, was outstanding, and gave the scene special distinction. '• Last scene of all was the hospital where Miss Howard (Dr Brodie), Miss Hazel Perry (.Nurse), and Mr C. Evans (attendant) acted with distinction, supported by Miss S. Qedennan (the maid). Other of the principals reappeared in this scene, and it was well-done throughout, the business of the acting being capably worked out, and leading up to the climax where lieau and belle kiss, and Cinderella .ully earns her reward. Brief mention has been made of the staging, which was good, and the properties etc. well done, reflecting credit on Mr R. Lynn, stage manager. Mr J. J. Menzies was resnonsib.e lor a street scene appropriately painted. The orchestra consisting of Miss G. Jacobs (pianiste), Mr P. Goodfellow (leader), Mr M. Houston (violin), Mr L. Ross (cornet) and Mr E. Gooclfell ;w (drums) lent very friendly aid, with a verj creditable presentation.

The Rev. Knowies-Smith acknowledged the patronage and approval of the audience and Despoke equally generous support for the coming operatic production shortly. A p.easing and Very intertilling evening concluded with the hearty singing of the National Anthem.