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AMUSEMENTS.

"MERRIE ENCLAND." A good house greeted the first appearance of "Mel'i'ie England" last evening ill the Town Hall. The staging of "Merrie England" is rather a difficult thing, but the Society have evidently put hard work into their practice, have spared no expense in the costuming and scenery, and so have succeeded in making the opera very enjoyable.

The acting of several of the players was very good, and in two cases really excellent and finished, ' Yet one or two of the principals would do better if they made a point of singing to the audience and not to the stage fittings, and in some cases if they did not speak so quickly. Then, again, the chorus was at times inclined to bo frivolous, while the principals were singing—notably was this the case during Sir Walter Raleigh's "My Dainty English Hose." These minor defects notwithstanding, there is no doubt the whole performance was very bright and pleasant, and the second performance this evening should be. excellent. The comedy work of the men was good and not overdone. Pride of place must be awarded among the gentlemen to Mr Frank Ran ford, whose Walter Wilkms was great. Mr Rani'ord's comedy work is refined and clever and not in any way does the slightest trace of vulgarity enter his performance. Wilkins' ability in getting out of scrapes was most amusing; while his work in the second act was very bright' and finished. To particularise, it will be readily admitted that his "King Neptune" was his masterpiece, but in "The love of a lady" (with Essex and Simpkins). and "Follow the Drum" (with Simpkins) he was no less effective though sharing the honors. The audience quickly recognised the merit of this performer. Mr \Y. H. Robinson as Sir Walter Raleigh is as good as ever, and he seems to be quite at home on the stage. His performance was very creditable, al though the part is a heavy one. In "My. Dainty English Rose," he «ang excellently, and was. heartily applauded. Other occasions on which he was heard to advantage were in the duets "Come to Arcadie" (with Bessie) and "The Merry Month of May" (with Jill). Altogether Mr Robinson is to lie congratulated on the success of his performance. Mr H. W. Douglas was good as the Earl of Essex, especially as he looked the part. A little more freedom in moving about would be welcome. However Essex was good and his singing of the "Yeomen of England" was given in dashing style. Messrs. Lonergan ("Long Tom" and Tcmpler ("Rig Ren") made two merry foresters and put plenty of life into their ..work. In the quartette "Merrie England" with Bessie and Jill they were heard to the best advantage. Mr W, S. Cato a s "Silas Simpkins," the companion of Wilkins was refreshing and his work was a good support to Mr Ranford's work. A happy pair were Wilkins and Simpkins. Of the other male members of the company mention should be made of the Queen's Fool (Mr "Davis) who did his Tittle bit well, and, besides, was dressed to the part. The costume ws locally made, being a work of art by Mis W. J. Crofts. Then as a butcher Mr J. Lister shared with the baker (Mr T. Partridge), the tinker (Mr J. H. Thompson), and the tailor (Mr J. Weston) most amusing foolery in "My Bottle and I." the collapse of the participants in the orgie being very well acted. The other male members on the caste were excellent and. seeming quite at home, never overdid their work.

Of the ladies. Miss Greenhalgh, as "Jill-all-Alone" the witch; was splendid. This lady acts gracefully and lure a good presence. Her part was an unenviable one yet her acting was most enviable. That she can sing as well as act was discovered in her first item "Jill-all-Alone," and her reputation in this respect was splendidly maintained throughout the evening. Her work was one of the really bright spots of the opera.

.Mrs Massey as Bessie, was much appreciated, and she scored heavily with her singing, especially in the solo "Who Shall Say that Love is Cruel.' Mrs Massey helps to hold up the heavy end of the opera, and throughout acquitted herself admirably. Miss Wilson made an ideal Queen Elizabeth. She looked the part and sang and acted with all the dignity attached to her office. The applause which greeted the approach of the Queen's barge and her entry to the festivities was a fine tribute to the stage management. Miss Wilison's solo "0. Peaceful England'' was one of the items of the evening to be encored. Miss Mackay as the May Queen had a pleasing part to perform. It is a pity her first song could not be sung from the front of the stage as the voice is almost lost from near the back. The other ladies sang and acted well, a feature

being their dancing. The chorus work was good and well balanced, although the time seemed to drag a little here and there. Some of the leaders could watch the conductor more closely as well as sing more to the audience,' when a better effect would bo obtained, The comedy element was never more appreciated than in the item "Follow the Drum." when Mr G. Uradley, as one of the players, rigged himself out as a big-bass drummer, who displayed a perfect avalanche o!' adipose tissue, with a toy drum strapped to his chest in the orthodox style. The effect was ludicrous in the extreme, and the audience fairly screamed. Thin notice would be incomplete without mention of the two pages. Queouie Reira and Phyllis Weston

• who spoke their lines well and looked sprightly and nice. | I The scenic .effects were good, especially at the opening of the second act. .The rising sun was well done and brings credit on the' .stage man- ' ager (Mr Cato) and the limelighter (Mr E. Bickerton). The orchestra under Conductor T. was in «ood form and more .practice with the players will bring perfection. My It. Cottier's work as leader was excellent. On the whole the society are to be congratulated on the performance which far eclipses their former productions. "Merrie England," to catch , on has to be well done or else it js dead and dull. But the players hist i . evening made it bright and pleasant and a success. It is honed to stage the opera in other towns and it may be safely said that the local people will hold their own wherever they may go. The performance will be repeated this Evening. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. ".My Friend from India," a comedy film 3000 feet in length, is the special feature in to-night's new programme to be presented at His Majesty's Theatre. The plot centres round a retired millionaire, who has gone to New York to get his two daughters into society. The son, a harem scarem, is in disfavor with dad, who in one of his carouses brings home a trauger, who is introduced as a Tlieosophist from the Ear East, and the complications which follow are laughable in the extreme. Mr Walter E. Perkins one of the world's leading comedians, is the central figure in this ' star comedy film. Supporting pictures to be shown are Police and Eireman's Procession, U.S.A., Bully Boy (cartoon), New War Pictures. The Little Country House (society drama), Peristent Mr Prince (Vitagraph comedy), and White Sea Fisheries).

ALLEN DOONE COMPANY, /

TO-MORKOW NIGHT.

The theatrical public will be glad to hear that the cultured Irish comedian, Mr Allen Doone, will make his appearance in this town to-morrow night. The run of success he has had will be remembered by many 'who admi red the style of play he produced; and his countrymen make him a popular idol, for he is staging the Irish character in its true manner, elevated generous and clean. Mr Doone comes to us with new plays and several new songs, and the mounting will j be of an elaborate character. "A Romance in Ireland" is described as a gem of Irish life and literature. Judging by the Australian success, it should prove a magnet here. Mr

Doone ha s the same clever and popular company, and he is still supported by that charming and captivating actress, Miss Edna Keeley. The plan and day sales are at Grubb's.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/STEP19150715.2.15

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 64, 15 July 1915, Page 4

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,399

AMUSEMENTS. Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 64, 15 July 1915, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS. Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 64, 15 July 1915, Page 4

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