“THE STUDENT PRINCE”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 364, 26 May 1928, Page 15

“THE STUDENT PRINCE”

A ROMANTIC SETTING Although it would b© a difficult task to find Karlsberg on the map, it suffices in “The Student Prince” to provide a romantic and colourful setting for this popular light opera. At His Majesty’s Theatre, last evening, another large audience witnessed the third Auckland performance o£ this delightful production. With a musical score abounding with tuneful numbers, and rousing student choruses, and the frocking and staging carried out in a most lavish scale, a splendid combination is effected. The romantic story of the attachment of Prince Karl Franz for Kathie, the serving maid at the inn of Three Golden Apples, is well sustained by Mr. James Biddy and Miss Beppy Be Vries. Mr. Biddy makes a manly and very attractive Prince, a robust tenor voice of very pleasing quality also contributing to a highly successful study. He is undoubtedly one of the finest leads seen in Auckland for many years, and with Miss Be Vries, who combines personal charm with dramatic ability far above the usual standard of light opera, a very effective combination results. Bast evening their numbers, particularly the tuneful ‘Beep in My Heart” duet, were enthusiastically received, recalls being the order of the evening. Mr. Frank Webster, Mr. Hedely Hall and Miss Adele Crane also sang with distinction, and the efforts of Mr. Arthur Stigant in the chief comedy role were received with unmistakable signs of appreciation. The chorus of “The Student Prince” is particularly strong, and for pure singing the work of the student chorus is undoubtedly superior to anything •heard in this class of production for several years. “The Student Prince” will continue until Saturday next, when the second production, Madame Pompadour, will be staged. The next matinee will be on Wednesday next. John Barrymore’s next picture for United Artists will be “The Bife of Cellini,” which was to have been done by Valentino.