"DOROTHY."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 176, 4 November 1910, Page 4

"DOROTHY."

A NOTABLE PRODUCTION. The Nov Plymouth Amateur Operatic Society produced Celliers comedy opera ••Dorothy" in the Theatre Royal last night before an audience that tilled ah parts of the house. From opening chorus to final curtain the audience was highly enthusiastic. It had reason ti» be, for the sweet and wholesome pastoral play, redolent of tender memories and joyous singers any time this lasv twenty years, was sung and played delightfully. Many pinchbeck musicai plays have superseded the simple pastoral school in which "Dorothy" is so notable, but "Dorothy" does not depend on horseplay or "double-entendre" or any superficial devices for the extortion of mirth or the tickling of the senses. Let it be said here that the most notable feature of "Dorothy" as a complete performance was the unusually clear enunciation of the principals in the lyrics. Not a single word was lost, ana this is a tribute that cannot be always paid to the world artistes in grand opera.

The story of Doroth-.- charms bv its simplicity. It is based () ,i the muchused device of impersonation two young blades planning by such means to win hospitality (and other things) from the Squire of Chanticleer Hall, who is the rich uncle of the chief young blade, a gay young gentleman with address but no means. It has been arranged that this Geoffrey Wilder shall wed Dorothy, the Squire's daughter, and the necessary cross-purposes are served by Dorothy (the Squire's niece) and Lydi'a (her cousin) personating serving maids. The gentlemen make violent love to these "serving maids," and the comedy of errors is carried over to a dance at; Chanticleer Hall, where Wilder personates a duke, and Sherwood his friend. Inextricably woven into the story is the fact that Wilder is pursued by a sheriff's officer, who supplies the" comedy. •Everybody knows ere tliis that the errors are smoothed out, and that the inevitable marriages happen.

Miss Olive Buckman, in the name part, was instantly in tune with her audience. In the quartette, "I'm sorry to delay you," her artistry found its first expression, and it was noticeable that her slight stage nervousness was greatly reduced when, during the number—sung with sprightliness—she and Miss Dulcet Fenton received splendid floral tributes, others being also received afterwards. The well-known lyrics falling to Miss Buckman were sung with expression and point. Gauged by other than amateur standards, Miss Buckman's playing and singing was refreshingly good; and Miss Dulcet Fenton, as Lydia Hawthorne, managed a, part requiring delicate poise with dainty grace. Her voice is rich, resonant and much above the average standard. She showed to advantage in the mock duel scene, where the two young ladies, attired as gallants, force their lovers to "fight." Artistically the pre-nuptial song of Phyllis (Miss Mabel Clarke), "The time is come," ran almost into first place as the finest item. Miss Clarke has the rare gift of sympathetic singing, and as she has vocal quality and a restfulness uncommon to amateurs, she carried the hearts of her audience. She was a. charming Phyllis. One must mention the perfection of Miss Clarke's enunciation; she received magnificent floral tributes. Miss Loris Fitzherbert was Mrs. Privett, the lady who in the comedy is more or less loved by Lurcher, the sheriff's officer. Although young for such an exacting part, Miss Fitzherbert played excellently, and helped in the wild hilarity occasioned by the famous character. The Lady Betty of Mrs. Southall was dignified and adequate. Mrs. Southall conveyed a fine impression of a grande dame. Mr. L. C. McKaac was as good a squire as one remembers to have seen in the part. He has the necessary voice, gesture and robust dignity. There was nothing better sung last.evening than the Squire's song, "I give you." It captured the audience, for it was splendidly rendered and received with glad vociferation and redemanded. Indeed, recalls of all the principals were frequent and deserved. Mr. J. H. Rowe was the Geoffrey Wilder of the company. He plays with nice judgment, the noticeable feature being the ease and polish of his stage manner. In "With such a dainty dame" (one of the most charming trifles in all "Dorothy") he infused a loverlike warmth that carried it effectively. Mr. Eowe gives the impression that he is not new to the boards. Mr. Ernest Clarke, as Harry Sherwood, sung "Queen of My Heart" (the greatest song in "Dorothy") with dramatic fervor. He has a robust voice of fine quality. A study of the poise of his playing partner would help him in the use of gesture and movement. What is to be said about Lurcher (Mr. F. J. Easthcr) ? He was concentrated comedy. His playing was excellent, his singing as bad as the part demanded, his by-play exquisitely funny, and his local allusions irresistibly droll. He is a comedian of much merit. It Mr. Easther will please stick closely to his excellent vernacular to-night, his splendid performance of last night will be excelled. Mr. T. R. Southall's John Tuppitt was a fine sketch. One lKkea Mr. Southall's fine speaking voice, his •gravity, the unstudied naturalness of his movements, and notices that the big voice was definite and pleasant in chorun work and useful everywhere. Also he was the guide, philosopher and friend of everyone who momentarily forgot. Much of the success depended on Mr. Southall. Mr. B. McEwen, as Tom Strutt, the lover of the beautiful Phyllis, was a sufficiently meek type of I bucolic swain. He lias a small sweet voice, fittiii.fr in its range and penetration. | He played acceptably. | The choruses were brilliant, powerful i and well balanced, the groupings, semiI ballets, dances, exits and entrances bering effected artistically. A notable fea- • ture was the old women's qujntet, "Danc- ! ing is not what it used to be," the young •ladies who sang it making quite a hit. Whoever used the greasepaint knew something about it; the lights were managed well, and certainly, the scenery "sets" were highly creditable to the painter. Costumes, properties and effects were complete and artistic, and the members of the orchestra must be congratulated on their very excellent playing. The splendid audience was unstinted in its praise of a performance that was in every respect a credit to the Society. "Dorothy" will be played' again to-night for the last time.