“BELLE OF NEW YORK”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 465, 21 September 1928, Page 15

“BELLE OF NEW YORK”

AMATEUR STAGE A SUCCESS ENTHUSIASTIC FIRST NIGHT “The Belle of New York,” a musical comedy in two acts and six scenes, presented at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening by the Amateur Operatic Society. CAST Ichabod Bronson .. .. Raymond Reeve Harry Bronson .. .. .. .. Ernest Snell Pumpernick .. .. .. .. G. C. Lyttelton “poc” Snifkins Len Keven Bill McQuirk Robert Fenwick Kenneth Mugg Frank Martin Ratsi Rattatoo A. J. Prentice Pantsi Rattatoo A. B. Birch Mr. Twiddles , C. A. R. Walker Violet Gray .. ..... .. .. . . Eva Simson Fricot Captain IT. J. Redmond Fifi .. Dorothy Richardson Cora Angelique Grace Nicholson “The Belle of New York,” which made Edna May famous (she was the original “belle”), and the bride of a millionaii-e, has worn exceedingly well. It is still a delightful musical show, even if the humour is a trifle rusty, and many of the jokes so bearded that they seem to have taken a new lease of life. “Tho Belle” made theatrical history in its day. Theatregoers who are wont to talk of the time when musical comedy was musical comedy, and not distantly related to revue, will recall Olive Godwin’s ravishing beauty in tho first J.C.W. production, and May Beatty, with the Pollards. But “The Belle of New York” is strong enough to endure a revival, particularly when staged with the care and detail one has come to expect from tho Auckland amateurs. Its music is captivating, and the story does not be-

gin with bi-okenhearted lovers in the first act, who are totally forgotten by tho authors until the inevitable reconciliation befoi'e the final curtain can be rung down. There are numerous changes of scene to give the stage artists and costumier's a chance to show their worth, and sufficient song hits and high-stepping interludes to pi-ovide vehicles for the several leads in a big cast. Apart from that, the whole of the musical score is entertaining, and it is a safe foi-ecast that such xlumbers as “Teach Ale How to Kiss,” “They All Follow Me,” “She is the Belle of New York,” and “When We Are Married” are sung and whistled to-day as though they were tho latest song discoveries in town. “The Belle” will cex-tainly lend weight to the argument that “there are no .lows like the old shows,” despite what the moderns say. The amateurs have excelled them selves this year, if comparisons with last year’s production a re allowed. Except for one or, two i-ather awkward gaps in the first act, due to first-night nervousness and a huge cjiorus, the performance went with commendable celerity. The chorus work is splendid in volume, tone, and action, and, as in mr»■’v prodD' '.lons. sists largely in establishing a popular success.

The Auckland Amateur Operatic Society is fortunate in both its principals and the men behind the scenes. The majority of the first-mentioned all possess excellent voices—the latter know their jobs thoroughly, with the

s uch excellent organisation eve Sing h P bUt make for a pro^table

Mis. Simson, legitimate successor to a lovely gallery of previous “Belles,” again proved that she is indispensable. A good singing voice, a nice stage appearance, and an abundance of charm, helped her to invest the part with all the desirable qualities it requires. Mr. Snell was in excellent voice last evening, and gave a satisfactory Harry Bronson. His assurance enables him to play an arduous i'ol© with a fi'eedom unusual in amateur pi'oductions. Mr. Reeve improved as the evening progressed. He was an Ichabod straight from New York as far as accent was concerned. Miss Nicholson was as dashing as any queen of comic opera could be, and pursued her ninth husband with a pardonable liveliness. Miss Richai'dson used her light voice with good effect, and aired her Fi-ench accent a little too enthusiastically. She is an atti’active little lady, however, admirably suited to a dainty part. Mr. Keven gave us a conventional Snifkins. Captain Redmond got one of the best laughs of the evening as a surprisingly pink chorus girl. Mr. Lyttelton worked industriously to make his lunatic an obliging and amusing fellow. Mr. Fenwick, a most energetic player, invested his part with the jitmost realism. Mr. Martin, Mr. Birch, Mr. Pi-entice, Mr. Sharp, Miss Steel, Mrs. Simmer-s, and the rest of the supporting cast all worked consciin the minor roles. Cora’s bridesmaids behaved with refi'eshing freedom, and the chorus moved and sang without any of that self-conscious look which spoils some amateurs.

Mr. Uolin Muston, waved a capable baton over a lai'ge' orchesti-a. Mr. Theo. Tresize has done exceedingly well with the pi*oduction, and Mr. W. J. Crowther has been made an excellent job of the scenery and dresses. This evening “The Belle” should go with the freedom which follows a first night, and if the first-night house is any criterion, the society should enjoy a profitable season.