COUNT OF LUXEMBOURG.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 166, 13 January 1914, Page 4

COUNT OF LUXEMBOURG.

A CAPITAL PLAY. Tlie latest opera company the ,1. {,'. Williamson management has sent, in tho shape, of the "l\,unt of Luscnbourg," is a inarkvd improvement on those which brought us tlic Quaker and other j-irls in the. spring. The music of the piece is by Kniius IjeJiar, composer of "The .Merry Widow," ami several collaborators are rcspomille. for tin; libretto. The first act is thin, both as regards the "Jlook" ami some of (hit musical numbers, but the second act i-s very diverting, whilst the wore improves considerably, Hindi of the nuisic l>oiiij» of a meritorious ciiu.nic.ter. The Count of J.uxemhonig break* no fresh ground, but is modelled fairlv clo-cly along the. line 1 * of U-lmr'H better know'n work and its many sucvcxkoin. A slender plot, in which the bearl interest, is not overlooked, threads its way through the ; meshes of humorous and' ([iiusi-humor-oils dialogue* and situations. Xcedles;[to say, there is a haunting waltz rej fmiii, the melody of which recurs fiejqueittlv. This'make* delightful bearing, and is welcomed in its' vari'inn forms, orchestral and vocal, at evenrepetition. The -.-ore, [no, includes I Intense love duet, common to this type of play, and henin again the comiw'wr Im-t set down a ciuiiniiiig harmonious theme which .'oimnewds itself lo all listellers.

There are some ravishing stage picture* in tlie second act. the chorus is well equipped vm-ally, and lhe dance specialities int; ~!:ice,| ne ph-awing-. A good orchestra, iinder Jlerr tiu.s'luvc Slapoll'.ski, played the in.struiiit-i.ital si-v----tuig to the piece in a maimer which reveals Ms skilful <u'cjie«tra*ion. The gay mixture of tunefulness, jocularilv. and light stMitimeiitnlily evidently satislied last night's audience.

The 'burden of |.,c singing is borne by Miss I'lnn-iur Vo:m« and' Mr. Frank iireeiw-. As Angel,. lUdicr. Mi-s Young(lets with her acciiMomcd ability, whils':. her vocal work i- {he Wrongest icaturtin thu general performance', her voice jwing rich uml powerful, hi addilioii to being a. singer. she a line stago appearance ami is our of the |„„t actl'es-es Now ■ Phnmath litis unjov.-d ill comic opera. Mr. v.'recne. in Vh« title role, scons like Miss Young. Ibhas a rich ami ino-ieal. baritone voice, and he sings a - only a true arti-t cm. sharing with the t.oprano tile success of the ]>i)j duel. . Visitor* to the theatre n.re always fond of a good. hearty In ugh, and therefore (hey wen- keenly Intereste.l in -the quaint sayings of Mr. I'hil Smith, tlie principal comedian, -nko stands oil! prominently, lie it a natural merrymaker, who gains iiis laughs in the easiest manner pn.-iblr. Mr. Smith is as versatile us he is nmnsing, and though not poJ.sivscd of <iu i-xceplional voice, makes miu-li of his "lilas, wlt'n-h an. all humorous. Mr. Cbas. Albert gave a funny sketch of an aged registrar, and \\a-- sr eu m advantage in llu"Dansr P.imponelie." in eonjiniclion with a clever link- tcrpischorcan arlist Miss Ylaslii. N'oveti:.t. One of the best voices in the cuinpnnv is revealed in tin- pn-Hcssioii of Mr. Kdwa-rd AVvmif who has: only a few bars of the tenor solo to render. Mr. ltoberl Whvte, dr.. is a dry grand dak.-. Imt is appaivuihnneqifal lo the rival reipiiremeiils of the part. Mr. Vic-or Prince, and Miss Cecilia. (oYilnni are old favorites i» ,i,i M . or roles. MUs Dorothy llrunton, a piquant soiibrette. cut a very dainty (ignro as .luliette. The remaining 'mem hers of the .■uinpany carried out their various parts evellonllv. and altogether Hie play nn:-t lie considered as very -aiisfai Inn from a liuinorolls and mirth-provoking point of view.