“RIP VAN WINKLE”

Hokitika Guardian, 21 August 1929, Page 3

“RIP VAN WINKLE”

PRODUCTION AT GREYMOUTH. (Grey Argus.) Au admirable example of the operatic talent in Hokitika, which, thanks to the oft-proven theatrical ability and enterprise of Mrs W. Staveley, has not been allowed to remain latent, was last night presented at the Opera House to the great enjoyment of a Greymouth audience that packed the auditorium, so to speak, from floor to ceiling. “Rip Van Winkle,” the world-famed comic opera o£- Planquette, which was t,lip irie/lium of the presentation, recalls the fact that the same composer in years gone by figured : n another successful operatic effort by the amateurs of the southern town, and last evening the lapse of the years was bridged for those who had hdard “Los Cloches de Corneville,” by the fact that the producer on this occasion was a performer on the form/er one, as well as another taking part, Air Max Coulson. The present venture is *in the ".nature •of Mrs Staveley’s final bow to West Coast theatrical’ audiences, and she has the pleasure' of knowing that it has been fully worthy of her record and her reputation, setting the seal to her enthusiastic patronage of operatic culture in Westland. The universal verdict of last night’s audience was that the performance was an outstanding credit to the company of ‘eighty amateurs by whom it was presented, there being not a single weak link in the personnel, while the en66tables and general effect were ex‘6&llent throughout. The technicalities compared favourably with professional standards, the dressing being particularly fine, while the lighting and stage management greatly enhanced the performance. The orchestra likew’ishr was of the fullest assistance, 'nVAintaining a due restraint, and ftaVdOririg the Whole score evenly and pleasingly, under the baton of Mrs •BtaVeley, whose apt direction) was 'from the rise to the fall of the curtain also in evidence upon the stage.