"GOING UP"

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 31 July 1929, Page 3

"GOING UP"

FIRST PERFORMANCE LAST NIGHT WERI Ji'4J>RHOIIS PHOto IIC'4'ION WORK 01'' NELSON AMATKCKS The large audience which attended the. opening performance of "Going Up.'" staged by the Nelson Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society in the Majestic Theatre last night, showed unmislakeably a keen appreciation of what was a lu-sl class show. As previously stated the proceeds are for the earthquake fund. Apart from the minor I roubles invariably associated with a (Irsl night, everything went with a swing throughout the evening. "doing lip" is a bright musical comedy, and the players made the most of the material contained in it. Although the story was written at a time when flying was a. comparatively new wonder of the world, it has still a modem flavour and might have been written with equal aptness to-day. Everyone is familiar with the music, and the several well-known songs the show contains have an increased popularity every time they are sung. THE CAST Miss Zonne Miss Sadie Hurling John Gordon Mr Chas. Hamilton F. 11. Douglas Mr N. V. Wotton Mrs Douglas Miss E. T. Powrio Jules Gaillard Mr E. A. Bradshaw Grace Douglas Miss Madge Wilson Madeline Manners . Miss Beatrice Aydon llopkinson Brown Mr Eric Stevens Robert Street Mr A. K. Griffith James Brooks ... Mr Wynne Cowlishaw, of Christchurch. Sam Robinson Mr Reg. Kingsford Louis Mr A. Andreason The principal characters were excellently cast and without exception the work of the players was of a high order. Amongst the principals were one or two who are making their debut in local amateur theatricals and in them the Society has discovered additional talent that will undoubtedly he in demand for future productions. The acting oil the part of the. principals is a tribute • to the producer, Mrs llulme, of Christchurch, and an indication of tin; strenuous work she and her pupils have gone through in the arduous few weeks of production. Mr A. K. Griffith as tin; pretending aviator, Robert Street, who has written a book on flying and finds himself pushed into a real flight through it, scored a great success in a part that might have been written especially for him. The effort necessary to bring out. the humour of his part was deftly gained by the adoption of a forlorn manner at any mention of his approaching trip into the clouds. Mr Reg. Kingsford, too, was very much at home as "Sam Robinson," the mechanic secured from a flying school as a last chance of helping Mr Street safely through his ordeal. Mr Kingsford's make-up was very good. Most of the humorous lines in the dialogue fall to Sam Robinson, and Mr Kingsford did not waste any of them. With the help of Mr Eric Stevens as "Hopkinson Brown," and Mr W. Cowlishaw as "James Brooks," Messrs Kingsford and Griffith did excellent work in the comedy scene during which Mr Street is being taught to fly indoors. The quartette were roundly applauded for their singing of "Down— Up— Left—Right." Mr Stevens and Mr Cowlishaw were both good in their respective parts.

Miss Madge Wilson of Christchurch, who played "Grace Douglas," fiancee to a French aviator and in love with Mr Street, was an asset to the performance. Besides being an accomplished actress, Miss Wilson possesses a pleasing soprano voice which she used with effect, notably in "The Tickle-Toe" and "If You Look in Her Eyes." Miss Beatrice Aydon, who played the part of "Madeline Manners" was equally successful, and her singing was very good. Her duet, "Do It For Me ' and "I Want a Boy" with Mr Stevens received considerable applause. One of the newcomers amongst the principals was Miss Sadie Hailing who deserves praise foilier acting as "Miss Zonne." a telephone girl who like all the ladies is in love with Mr Street. Mr E. A. Bradshaw. who played the French aviator, "Jules Gaillard," is one of this year's "finds." He not only acted well but showed that lie Jias a ( powerful baritone voice. Ho scored with the song "Going Up" and the duet "Kiss Me" with Miss Wilson. Others who took their parts well vvere: Mr N. y. Wotton as "F. 11. Douglas, the "hen-pecked" husband who can never refuse a. bet; Miss K T .lowrie, his wife; Mr Chas. Hamilton; and Mr Wynne Cowlishaw of Christifm'. i • ,°, owin 8 t 0 the illness of Air I eddy Allan, came up to Nelson to play the part allotted him. A clever eccentric dance, -Tho Varsity Drag was given by Mr A. Andreason and Miss Phyllis Aydon. The scenery was'very good, and the attractive (rocks and costumes worn bv the principals and the choruses added much to the production. The flying field scene was complete with aeroplane and A less obtrusive but very important element in the production was the music supplied by a large orchestra under Mr J. ii. Lemmer. The overture and other incidental music and accompaniments were all everything that could be desired. The members of the chorus did not have a great deal to do, but they carried out their duties creditably. Before the performance'commenced Mr Kingsford spoke to the audience about the change in the cast necessitated by Mr Allan s illness. He expressed the society s gratitude to Mr Cowlishaw of Christchurch for helping them out at such short notice. ."Going Up" will bp staged again tonight and 10-monw night at 'i.e Majestic.