"A COUNTRY GIRL."

Shannon News, 10 August 1928, Page 3

"A COUNTRY GIRL."

SUCCESSFUL PRESENTATION BY LEVIN AMATEURS. A satisfactory impression ed by the Levin Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society last evening Avith their presentation of the still popular rwo-aet musical play, "A Country Girl," Avhieh was composed a quarter of a century ago by Lionel Monckton, in conjunction Avith the lyric writer, Adrian Ross. It is one of the productions of that prolific period that are distinguished by a perceptible plot, and as it abounds in tuneful ballads and dramatic stiuations it affords plenty of scope for study when taken up by amateurs.

The night was an excellent one as regards weather, and there seemed to be an absence of counter-attractions, so it is not surprising that the audience Avas fairly large, the lower part of the theatre being filled, and several roAVS of the dress circle taken'up. The production was the culmination of a I period of practices Avith a fluctuating, atendance, atoned for by a rapid series of intensive rehearsals. The effect of the cramming Avas fortunately credit-; able, the leading players obviously fit: ting into their parts, Avhile. the chorus were imbued with quite a fair amount of spirit. In this latter respect the, society has made progress, for it* can' be remembered that in the last production—" The ShoAV Girl," in October —the concerted Avork Avas a trifle thin* In "The Country Girl" the theme, is. of the pseudo-exotic type, signalised in this case by the return of a couple of nautical heroes to the dear old village and the superimposed arrival of an Eastern potentate and his regal ward. The creation of such a position is rich in stage possibilities, and, as the situation was overshadowed by a rural election campaign, complications Avaxed apace; giving all the' speaking cast a share of the limelight. In the forefront of the male actors stood Mr C. Cronquest as Barry, a bluejacket Avhose manifold attainments Avere translated by admirable versatility. The character changes of the part were excellently done, giving an excellent representation of Barry's transition- from able seaman to stump orator, Avouldbe grand dame, and a masquerader in the uniform of a bandsman. In each of these guises, Mr Cronquest Avas equally Avell suited. The role Avas comic throughout, and as the player's enunciation was unimpeachable, the audience enjoyed his foolery to the utmost. A part of little less stage importance Avas that of Geoffrey Challoner, the naval officer, who. by his subordinate's machinations, finds himself a Parliamentary candidate, and eventually a successful one. Mc- ; Leavey proved himself to be possessed, of an easy delivery and a Avell-balanced! manner, Avhieh enabled him to sustain'?! interest in his part even Avhere it sUg-, gests literary padding. —The j. impressiveness Avas capably pdrtraye'd \- by Mr* P. 0, von Hartitzsch, and he : exhibited the dramatic quality of poise unmistakably. Although this character; is not burdened with, its .lines,, it was; Avell construed and Avas on the AA'hole imposing; Mr H. Denton was quite | convincing as Sir Joseph Verity, the ; squire Avho looks for reflected glory from the perfectly impossible election of his son Douglas. . In the latter role, Mr A. H. Morgan was very successful, conveying an intelligible idea of a bachelor of the gauche type. Mr D. P, Todd had a lenient task in depicting Gran-fer Mummery, but he made the most of it and shoAved it to advantage. As Lord Anchester, Mr, J. Logan maintained the dignity attaching to the personality J. D. -Brown imparted an air of realism to the vagaries of Major Vicat; and. Mr Claude Bennett was Avell cast as Sir Charles Cortelyon. Subsidiary parts Avere sat-., isfaetorilv taken by Mr J. McFarlane as Tzanitcheff, Mr N. Vickers as Rube Fainvay, Messrs J. McLennan and G. Lamb as the Rajah's attendants, and Mr G. Sorenson as groom. A number of the feminine parts rank together for prominence. The heroine, however, is Marjorie Joy, a natiA'e of the village Avho returns after having achieved fame on the London stage, and who is puzzled by the fickleness of Challoner, but is able to claim his allegiance in the end. Miss Gavcii von Hartitzsch Avas very natural in this role, and with.a..little more experience of the boards she should stand in high favour. Her cues Avere Avell taken, and she evinced an understanding of the artistic value of . the work. Her singing, moreover, Avas very pleasing. Miss Jean McLennan, Avho appeared as Mud-,' ame Sophie, a romantic part, exhibit-, ed considerable finish, and the confidence Avith which she approached every changing situation made her contribution to the play a very live one. Her. temperament av&s evidently attuned to the atmosphere, and the various epi sodes in Avhieh she figured left a par-; ticularly favourable impression. Miss Una Bull infused considerable vivac-: ity into the impersonation of Nan, a light-hearted girl of the village. She could have done much more if the part had demanded it* for her ability to sustain a character with undiminished freshness is beyond question. An attractive nurse Avas presented by Mrs T. Devinc; and Miss Margaret White was Avell reAvarded A\'ith acclamation, for the realistic manner in Avhieh she represented the M-chelanah, as Avell as for her singing. Other parts were taken by Miss L. Hislop as Mrs St., Queutin, Mrs Hislop as Lady Anchester, Miss Butler as Miss Carruthers,/Mias. M. McDonnell as Miss PoAvyscourt, Miss D, Tait as Lady Arnot, Miss Rogers as Miss Courtlands, Miss Phyllis Meyers as Miss Ecroyd, and Misses D. Tre'seder and R. Astridge j as Indian attendants.

The work of the chorus was well taken in a general sense. There was some volume in the singing, and the movements were timely. The members of the chorus were Misses N. Cunningham; Rogers, McDonnell, Meyers, Butler, Tait, Treseder, Astridge, Collier,

Young and Mrs Nye. Messrs N. and D. Vickfers, Bennett, Lamb, :; McFarlane, MeLennan and Sorenson. Charming ballets were performed by a corps consisting of Misses Hutton, Wrigley. Carter, Collier, L. Cunningham and Rimmer. The solo dancers were Misses Betty Hutton and Melva Wrigley, two young ■•artists of clever attainments', who gave of their best. Of vocal items there was plenty, and the average was fair. The solos comprised "Try again, Johnnie," "Mollie the Marchioness," and "My Little Crinoline," by Miss Bull; "Coo," by Miss von Hartitzsch; "Under the Deodar," by Miss Margaret White; "My Partners," by Miss'MeLennan; "The Sailor Man," and "My Own Little Girl,'' by Mr McLeavey: "Yo Ho, Little Girls, Yo Ho," and "When I was a Girl," by Mr Cronquest; and "Peace, Peace," by Mr von Hartitzsch. Concerted numbers were: "Bov and Girl," by Miss von Hartitzsch "and Mr McLeavey; "Rajah of Bhong," by Mr von Hartitzsch and Miss White; "Two Little Chicks" and "Quarrelling," by Miss MeLennan and Mr C. Cronquest. The company gave opening choruses and finales', also "The Arcadians"; and a hextette, "Take Your Pretty Partner to the Ball," was sung by Misses von Hartitzsch, Bull and MeLennan and Messrs von Hartitzsch, A. 11. -Morgan and J. D. -Brown.

The society had the services of an efficient orchestra, consisting of Mr J. W. Ilavfield (leader), Mrs Bould, Messrs A. 'Prouse, H. McDonald, M. K. Varaham, G. Lester and D. Fox. The pia-Ji-ist was Miss Ivy Middlemiss, L.A.8., who acquitted herself skilfully. Mr H. Powell and Mr G. W. Wilson were stage manager and assistant stage manager respectively. Mr H. G. Mackay was auditorium, manager, Mr S. H. Be van electrician, and Mr D. P. Todd secretary, and the scenery, which was tastefully and appropriate, was by Mr Cyril Vara ham. The 'costuming was varied and charming, and for the duties of wardrobe mistress much credit is due to Miss D. Treseder.

The play was produced and musically directed by Madame Eugenie and Mr Edwin Dennis, both of whom devoted a great deal of thought and energy to making it worthy of the district. That the fperformers' efforts were appreciated was strikingly evident in the number of bouquets and other gifts that were handed up to the stage before the final curtain. The concluding presentation of "A Country Girl" will be made this evening- * .