AMATEURS STAGE “KATINKA” SUCCESSFULLY

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 173, 12 October 1927, Page 17

AMATEURS STAGE “KATINKA” SUCCESSFULLY

HAMILTON OPERATIC SOCIETY “Katinka,” a musical comedy in three acts by Oto Haverba:h. music by Rudolph Friml. Produced at Hamilton last evening by the Hamilton Operatic Society. CAST Thaddeus.T. Hopper E. H. Quill Ivan Dimitri Ray Foster Boris Strogoff .. .. .. .. H. C. Gregory Petrov F. H. Claphim Knopf W. H. F~y« Arif Bey At Abdul E- Da woo l Pierre C. Sutd.ffe Katinka Dulcle Evans Tatiana Mrs. E. S. Daw son Olga ZeMa Ma son Varenka .. .. - Joan Banks Sonia . - Doris Wheeler Wanda Mrs. P. G. Nash Mrs. Helen Hopper . . . Mrs. F. Booth For the first time in New Zealand the delightful musical comedy “Katinka’ has been done by amateurs. The honour has fallen tc Hamilton, where it was performed last evening, with great success, by th« Operatic Society. It will be remembered that “Katinka’’ had its New Zealand and Australian premiere at Wellinirton some years ago. A brilliant best describes the performance and a crowded house greeted the players, who added lustre to the already fine reputat on of the society. An unusual feature of the performance was the capability with which Mrs. Ik. C. Ross wielded the baton and guid€‘d the orchestra through an intricate score The producer, Mr. A. E. Man- ! ning, is to be congratulated for his j work. The principals were well cant ; and Mr. Quill as Hopper was the hit [of the show as an enterprising Amerii can. Mr. Foster admirably portrayed ; the handsome Ivan Dimitri, and Mr. . Frye accomplished the exacting part as Kflopf with perfect freedom. Mis* Evans, in the title role, scored an instantaneous success with her beautiful voice and able acting. The other principals played the parts allotted to them with an ease which was delightful to watch. The chorus was very strong and the finales were given with fine spirit. Cleverly executed ballets were led by Gladys Denz. Opening with the snappy Montmartre chcrus, the play went with a swing. The most brilliant scones were seen in the second act. where the harem girls appeared in most effective frocks. Mrs. F. Booth’s voice was heard to perfection. At the conclusion of the performance Mrs. H. C. Ross was presented with a silver-mounted baton from the company in appreciation of his conducting.