ROYAL COMIC OPERA COMPANY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 79, 23 September 1911, Page 4

ROYAL COMIC OPERA COMPANY

"OCR -MISS omits." Says the dramatic critic of the Auckland Herald, writing of "Our Miss (iil>W to be produced by Mr. J. C. Williamson'* Comic. Opera Company on Monday and Tuesday next at the Theatre Royal lu 're: "Two of the most potent factors in the success of -Our Miss Oibbs' are spectacular beauty and personality. Playgoers will leave the theatre impressed with the former and delighted with the insistent charm of the latter as conveyed to them over the footlights by Miss Blanche. Browne. This particular artiste .possesses to an unwonted degree the enviable power of magnetism, the individuality that instantly captivates the. onlookers. The piece itself is up-to-date, musical comedy, and in its own class, the standard of which is high, artistically speaking, and may be taken as a chining example. The music comprises a collection of catchy airs, several of which have been made familiar in advance, and the ear is continuously pleased, the elVect> being enhanced by "pretty flrchestration. In sending 'Our .Miss (libbs' to New Zealand, the J, C. Williamson lirni, as was evidenced at the first representation at his Majesty's Theatre last night, has denuded it of none of the attractiveness that characterised the play of its record Australian run. The cast and the stage setting arc the *atne. Scenically the first act eclipses anything seen here before in musical comedy. The interior of a fashionable store, with the long llight of stairs leading up to the millinery gallery, where the latest creations in ladies' hats are displayed, is remarkable stagecraft. The setting to the second act depicts the court of honor at tin' Franco-British Exposition, and is exceedingly picturesque. Lavish expenditure anil exquisite taste have been undertaken in the dresses, which will be the envy and admiration of all feminine beholders. Indeed, 'Our Miss I iibbs' largely constitutes a parade of elegantlygowned women —in itself a great attraction.'' The piece, now playing to phenomenal business in Auckland, has taken the city by storm. The enthusiasm is extraordinary. Patrons to the cheaper parts of the theatre are invariably to he seen waiting for admittance early each afternoon. For some days past the theatre here has been occupied by a, number of mechanics and stage artificers from Auckland, engaged in preparing for the play on Monday evening next. The box plans for the two nights' sea-on arc now open at Collier's.