ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 158, 10 December 1914, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"SAN TOY."

That the New Plymouth Operatic Society have again struck the' popular fancy, and scored another success, was evidenced by the crowded house that greeted them last night, when the curtain rose for the second presentation of "San Toy" to a .New Plymquth audience. In the circle, stalls, and pit the seating accommodation was taxed to the utmost, and one and all showed their appreciation of the efforts put forward by the society for their entertainment and delectation by giving the various numbers unstinted applause, and by, in numerous cases, demanding undeniable encores. If anything, the beautiful musical comedy went with more swing than on the previous evening, the actors putting more snap into their work, due to increased confidence in themselves and their audience, which the previous evening's success had undoubtedly given them. The principals—San Toy (Mrs. Birch-Johnson), Dudley (Miss K. Bennett), Poppy (Mrs. Dell), Li (W. McEwen), Captain Preston (Mr. G. V. Lambert), and Yen How (Mr. A. Gray)— were again in capital form, and scored many a vocal and histrionic success, being encored time and again, whilst the ladies were the recipients of numerous floral offerings from admirers The minor roles, too, were in capable hands. Sir Bingo Preston, the pompous British Consul, was admirably portrayed by Mr. A. iMcDiarmid.' Mr. E.' S. Bayly was hardly convincing, enough as Emperor of China. Still, it was only a burlesque Emperor that he was representing As Fo Hop, .the Chinese student in love with San Toy, Mr. T. Hogg was good. Lieutenant Tucker, in love with Toppy, was in the capable hands of Mr. X. Parker. Mr. P. Stainton ably enacted the part of Sing Hi. Miss I. Hooker as Captain of the Guards filled the role con,fidcntly, and looked the part. The cvo lution of her company of Guards were particularly good 'Miss A. Hawke, 'Miss Maidley, Miss W. Bennett, and Miss B. Oliver were ideal English tourists. Misses K. Tuohey, M.'Ti'plady, L. iMouat, L. Davidson, I. Gilbert, and J. Elliott were dainty as the six wives of Yen How. In the ballet these six young ladies created quite a furore, being recalled again andi again."The ballet was prettily conceived' and exceedingly well executed, the dancing reflecting great credit on the fair young danseuscs and their ballet mistress, Miss E. Beresford, of Auckland. The dressing and mounting of the piece was on a very lavish scale. The lighting, too, last night left nothing to he desired. Another pleasing feature was the orchestral music. It is safe to say that the two productions will long linger in the memories of patrons, who will look forward with pleasurable anticipation to the next appearance of the New Plymouth Operatic Society, who, some years ago, set a standard of excellence, which they have maintained or excelled ou each successive performance. Among those deserving special praise foi the success achieved must be men tioned: Scenic artist, Mr. A, Mel. Brad bury; conductor, Mr. R. N. Renaud; as sistant stage manager, Mr. P. E. Stain ton; accompanist, Mrs. Wood; wardrolx mistress, Mrs. Riddles; properties, Mr B. Goodacre; electrician, Mr. R. Patter son; mechanist, Mr. G. Martin; business manager, Mr. E. L. Humphries; dressers Misses Bedford and Messrs. Heal Riddles, and Ridge; and prompter, Mrs, McDiarmid.