ROYAL COMIC OPERA COMPANY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8336, 19 January 1907, Page 5

ROYAL COMIC OPERA COMPANY.

"THE ORCHID." The performance of "The Orchid"' by Mr J. C. Williamson's Royal Comic Opera Company, drew an audience to the Town Hall last evening which crowded the building in " every part. Judging by the frequent applause the piece warf; thoroughly , ' appreciated. The dialogue is light, and inconsequential, and created con- " stant mirth, the music set the senses dancing to its rythm, and the spectacular effects fairly dazzled the sight. The fun ranged from the broadly comical to the frolicsome,, and was evenly disseminated by a collection of excellent comedians and vivacious comediennes. It was pleasureable, too, to listen to clever lines in the lyrical portion of the work, and many of the songs couldl well lay claim to that desirable quality. Added to all was a sustained atmosphere of gaiety and smartness that set all serious considerations at nought. The plot is simple in a ! way, and compound in another. The : action opens in a Ladies' Horticultural College, with the gardener Meakin (a man) as the central figure. -The Minister of Commerce, who has interested himself 'in the . institution, makes a bet with' a. Frenchman, Monsieur Deauvilie, that he will beat him at the game of orchids by midnight on a certain date, and sends off a specialist, Zaccary, to scour the world. This individual secures a winning bloom, but is robbed by an adventuress, Zelie Rombert. Meakin, however, has cultivated a startling orchid from a bulb , which he found in a rubbish heap, and this flower, after strange adven- ' tures, wins the wager for England. Mr George Laurie in the role of Meakin had to bear the burden of the fun-making. The comedian had not, [ the slightest difficulty in creating merriment. His lines were funny, his "gags" and make-up were equally • so, and his droll personality did the rest. His song "I Do all the DirtyWork," was well in the character and made a hit. Mr W. S. Percy was warmly welcomed in • the role of an irascible Frenchman, for ever in chase: of the! Englishman's . orchid, Mr, Percy's quaint antics and by-play made the part of prominent importance in the comedy of the piece. His duel scene with Mr Lauri was one of the funniest things imaginable. Mr Fred Leslie as ,an orchid-hunter had some excellent comedy scenes, and played well. His chief successes were in the cleverly executed solo song and dance "Far Peru," and in the duet "Liza Ann," in which he and Miss Evelyn Scott gave a humourous York; shire yokel impersonation, winding up with a remarkable clog dance. Miss Scott had two exceedingly smart songs "Little Mary" and "Come Along With Me," Miss Clara Clifton' proved accomplished and versatile in' a humourous role as a lady of matrimonial bent. Miss Connie Milne, a dainty actress, sang-well the opening solo, "The Lady. Secretary." This had a gay and lilting tune, with a strikingly pretty refuain. Miss Olive Godwin won fresh admirers in a light comedy role. She was always charming, and sang admirably. Her solo "I Must Propose to You," is one of the sweetest melodies in the work.' Mr John Ralston played a jovial part breezily. Mr Arthur Crane played an accompanying role capably. A pasdetrois, danced by Misses Jessie and Aggie Brown and Miss Violet Sylvester, had to be repeated. The dancers displayed the utmost grace and nimbleness combined. Of the concerted numbers in the piece, the quintette, "Oh, Mr Registrar," and the several choruses, were finely rendered. Minor parts had in most cases capable exponents, that of a perpetually laughing registrar of marriages being particularly well handled by Mr Arthur Hunter. ' .-