ROUND THE SHOWS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 665, 17 May 1929, Page 14

ROUND THE SHOWS

“KING OF KAWAU”

AT ST. JAMES THIS EVENING This evening will see the initial performance at the St. James Theatre of the University Students’ annual extravaganza, which this year is entitled “The King of Kawau.” Auckland audiences always look forward with keenest anticipation to the topical songs which have become a special feature of University plays. The “King of Kawau” is specially favoured in this department in that it has double the number of any previous production. In addition, the dialogue abounds with topical allusions and the plot itself is by no means without its bearing on current events.

The plot deals with the financial difficulties of the State of Kawau, which is on the verge of bankruptcy. In order to have expert advice, Sir Joseph Hoard has been imported as Chancellor of the Exchequer and in the first scene a cabinet meeting is held to discuss possible schemes for overcoming its financial difficulties. A scheme proposed by the Chancellor is finally accepted, but does not, however, run as smoothly as expected owing to the entanglements of the Prince Dolphin, the Heir Disapparent. Eventually, however, the scheme is found to be a huge success. £70,000,000 being raised. The production is in the capable hands of Mr. J. A. S. Coppard, while Mr. Trevor Sparling, who composed much of the music, is the musical director. The chorus movements and ballet work, which will be unique in productions of this nature, have been arranged by Mile. Valeska. The cast is particularly strong and well balanced, and is headed by Miss Freda Gaudin and Mr. A. H. FryerRaisher. Other leading roles are taken by Misses Ruth Walker and Jean MacCormick, and Messrs. J. Gregory, Frank Martin, Don Plummer, R. Fenwick, J. E. Forde and R. E. L. Aubin. The season wil continue at the St. James until next Friday.

“MARITANA”

CHORAL SOCIETY’S CONCERT In spite of the inclement weather ! the Town Hall was well filled last i night, when the Auckland Choral SoI ciety opened its 1929 season with a markedly successful concert performance of Vincent Wallace’s cver-popu-la.r opera, “Mari tana.” Though the music is of ho great merit, yet there is undoubted charm in many of th ‘ melodies and choruses, and last n these were given in a manner i*»at won the hearty approval of the largo audience; so much so thatMhe insistence of encores rather tended to unduly protract the concert. The tone of the choir was distinctly good, though the balance was imperfect owing to the paucity of male voices: but the enunciation was remarkably clear and the intonation generally very dependable. The soloists had much to do, and in most cases acquitted themselves with great success. The large orchestra lent valuable aid. though occasionally it was a little unsteady and heavy in some of the accompaniments. The tuneful opening chorus, "rfing Pretty Maiden,” went crisply, and in good style, with a commendable brightness of tone, while in the “Angelus” the purity of tone was a praiseworthy feature, and the climax of this chorus was notably tine for resonant and

•dignified singing. Nice rhythm marked the “Gitana” mov ft .ent, a f 1 the Finale to Act 1. was particularly rousing, while that to Act 11. was sung with appropriate vocal colour. In the third act there is little choral work, but the final. “Viva Maritana.” was given with admirable warmth and freedom. The exacting soprano role of Maritana was most ably sustained by Miss Kate Campion, who made a welcome reappearance at these concerts, and who scored a great success. Tier tine voice, professional style and polished technique, together with marked dramatic ability, enabled her to portray the part most convincingly. Bright “continental” tone characterised the solo, “It Was a Knight,” and a nice legato and good phrasing were evident in “ ’Tis the Harp in the Air.” In the scene with Don Jose, “Of Fairy .Wand,” there was some fine singing, though in the verse, “He Thinks, as Others Oft Have Done,” the pitch was not always quite perfect. In the duet with Jose, “Oh, More That,” and with Don Caesar in “This Heart With Joy,” Miss Campion sang with great distinction, while the ballad “Scenes that are Brightest” brought a meriteef encore. The cadenza in the final solo, “With Rapture Glowing,” was excellently managed, and the duet, “Sainted Mother,” exhibited some finished vocalising. Miss Madge Clague successfully undertook the part of Lazarillo, and proved an agreeable and dependable singer. Her mezzo-soprano voice has both, range and power, and her intonation is sure. Her siijging of “Alas, Those Chimes” greatly pleased the audience, and resulted in an encore, while in the duets and concerted numbers Miss Clague was uniformly satisfactory. Her upper notes ai’e particularly attractive, and her singing is restrained and cultured, but all her vowel sounds are not equally pleasing. Owing to the indisposition of Mr. Lambert Harvey, the tenor music allotted to Don Caesar was undertaken at short notice by Mr. Arthur Ripley, who sang with remarkable success, and is to be congratulated on hia efforts. Mr. Ripley sang his music with considerable taste and intelligence, and was very reliable throughout. His excellent use of head notes made his middle notes rather suffer by comparison, but there was much to admire in his work. His outstanding numbers were the solos, “There is a Flower jthat Bloometh,” and “Oh, Maritana, Wild Woodflower,” both of which were charmingly sung, while his duet with Maritana, “This Heart With, Joy,” and his scene with the i King commencing with “Surely as j Thou Art Don Caesar/* were very well done.

Mr. Geoffrey Colledge sang the baritone music of Don Jose, and as a newcomer acquitted himself creditably. Neither his voice nor his style is as yet quite convincing, but there is promise of considerable success with study and experience Mr. Colledge had a good deal to do. and had to repeat part of his solo, “In Happy Moments.” in response to the warm .applause of the audience. The bass solo work was reliably sung by Mr. E. Thomas, whose best work was in the concerted numbers, and the scene already mentioned with Don Caesar, which, latter was very good In the solo, “Hear Me. Maritana.” the tone was apt to “spread,” and the diction was sometimes faulty. Miss Whitelaw led the orchestra, and Mr. Muston skilfully conducted the concert. —S.K.P.

FINE FILMS AT ROYAL “Across to Singapore,” a vivid drama of the sea, with Ramon Novarro in the starring role, and Joan Crawford playing opposite him, will be the attraction at the Royal Theatre, Kingsland, this evening. This screen drama is a vivid story of romance and adventure on the high seas, in New England, and in that mysterious melting pot of the East—Singapore. Novarro takes the role of a young sailor who becomes enmeshed in many dramatic and thrilling adventures, Ernest Torrence has an important role, while Frank Currier, Dan Walheim and Anna May Wong are included in the cast. Charlie Chaplin’s last picture. “The Circus,” will also be shown. This is one of Charlie’s best, and show's him as a rouseabout working for a circus, in love with a pretty trapeze actress, and in constant danger from every imaginable source.

TOBOGGAN CRASH FILMED IN “BETRAYAL,” JANNINGS’S LATEST One of the most spectacular scenes In the new’ Emil Jannings’s starring production for Paramount, “Betrayal,” was taken recently from a toboggan, which speeded down three miles of specially constructed snow-glide. The picture centres round life in a Swiss alpine village, and Jannings portrays the character of its Mayor. The story calls for a scene which shows a fatal toboggan smash. Engineers from the Paramount studios went with the Jannings’s company on location in the snow country, and constructed a long toboggan slide. Mounted on of the toboggans, an automatic camera recorded a number of thrilling rides, and then the smash at the bottom of the run. The camera was fixed in such a way that it was protected from damage. When the film was devoleped it was found that the mechanism had functioned perfectly, and that unique pictures had been obtained. At the time of the smash, experts calculated that the toboggan was travelling at the rate of GO miles an hour down the snow incline.

FIRST-CLASS REVUE

FROLICS’ SEASON VERSATILE CLEM DAWE First-class revue funs is bem*» vided for Auckland audiences x.'" i Clem Dawe and his company D his sliort return season at His MTheatre. Hast evening s lug audience a., enthusiasm testified to the oonw ' popularity. Hut the entertainmon. notable further for the appr^C shown for the performance of u Mona Magnet. Sheer ability i n ,n V sketches was evident, although.' pleased the audience rather her frequent comedy turns. \> at , | ing. cleverly syncopated songs-tf Magnet excels in light work Her ent in sterner acting was revev again in her excellently sketch of a night in a San i Chinese opium den. j Mr. Dawe leads the members of i ! Midnight Frolics into all sort* 1 amusing situations, and the combi* i company work has undeniabl' Pol ;- j The comedian s zest for making tutmost of the opportunities he gives t' j humour is as impressive as his ab ity. His first principal appears* i Vv*a«s as the man who was being iniated into the mysteries of the Su-cv Club. Next lu- u.., showing the difference between bom moons of Victorian and present timthen in rapid succession, a a Highland dancer, a saxopfco* player, a pierrot. a toy-loving C hi’i conductor of the Waihooke Opera--. Society, which scores with an opburlesque of "Horsey, Keep Your Ta Up,” and lastly as the man who !_ three wives—all living. Mr. Eric Edgely is almost as gen- . ous in his entertainment, and Dorothy White also does imponawork. The Edgley-White frolics arbrimming with good fun. A well-selected programme of mu«; is excellently played by the Mianip Frolics’ Stage Band, a combination which elevates syncopation to a bnlliant pinnacle. Mr. Gregory Ivanoff conducts tbband, and he also plays three violin solos efficiently. One of the band’s be*: numbers is the Maori-Hula medley. Mr. William Perrvman’s songs extremely popular. Other prorciner.; members of the company aiv Mr. White, Miss Gertie Cremer and M Arthur Frost, the pianist.