"PRINCESS CHRYSANTHEMUM."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 164, 17 December 1914, Page 5

"PRINCESS CHRYSANTHEMUM."

•A SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE. The life and vim displayed, and tho freshness of the voices, in the chorus, combined with the clear enunciation, throughout, more than compensated for, any shortcomings that, the ultra-critical may have found last night in the performance of the charming 'operetta, "Princess Chrysanthemum," by the, Technical College pupils at tho Theatre j Royal The singing tuitdon at the eoli lege must be of a, very, 'high order. The i music throughout is tuneful, and right I from the jump it caught the popular fancy, and held it, from the rise of 4ho curtain on "Strike the Gong and Sound the Cymbals" to the fall at the conclusion of the fourth act. The title ' irole was taken by Miss Ada Chapman, I the possessor of a 'sweet, and strong I soprano voice, with a good range. She was heard to advantage in the solo, "Which Shall It Be,' and "Home of My ; Childhood." Perhaps tho gem of the evening was the duet, "First Dawn of Love," in which she took part with Mis* Isa Murphy, a tine contralto voice, evofc. ing a double encore. Miss Aileen Jenkins, as "Top Knot," the court chamberlain, was vivacious and letter perfect. Her song and dance, "The Golden Buttcrlly," was a gem. "Tulip," one of 'the maids of honour, Miss Annie Hutchinson, sang very sweetly "Lullaby. Land" and "Swinging,' Master T. Bradley, as the autocratic Emperor, was" good. Miss Marjorie. Waug'a made a very dainty little fairy queen, and did full justice to her solo "The Path of Love," receiving a double recall "Saucer Eyes," Miss Alma Braund, realistically got up as the cat, came through with flying colours, especially in her descriptive song, "A Kitten's Tale." Miss Vera Julian, and her band of Ens* liah redcoats, brought down the house with their singing of "It's a Loug Way; to Tipperary" and their marching evolutions. A feature of the last not "Ws Mr J. Ha slam's patriotic song, "A Soldier," with full operatic chorus, exultingly encored. All the minor parts were well filled. The piece was admirably staged throughout. Tho daws ing was a treat, and the orchestra provided plea",in!j accompaniment. Mr A* Gray, as conductor and stage manager, ■ /is deserving of every credit fur the staging of the opero((ta,, which will probably be repeated in aid of some patriotic object.