AMATEUR THEATRICALS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10159, 1 December 1910, Page 5

AMATEUR THEATRICALS.

LOCAL AMATEURS IN f COMIC \ OPERA. r Great praise is due to the Master- • 1 Amateur Theatrical Society for their fine production of Planquetti's - tuneful opera, "Les Cloches de .8 Corneville." Long befoie the time < for the raising of the curtain the f. Town Hall was filled with enthusias- 1 tic patrons. The opera went with a ] swing from start to finish, and the performance as given, would be a credit to any professional company. The first scene depicts a view of the seashore near the Chateau de Corneville, an ancient castle around which the plot of the opera is written, The Comte de Lucenay, having to fly from home, leave 3 his j daughter in the custody of Jean , Gaspard ard leaves instructions for her up bringing. About the same time Gaspard finds a young girl, and j the daughter, of the Marquis and the , waif are both installed as members j of the Gaspard family. One is named Germaine and the other Ser- ( polette. Germaine accidently falls into, the sea, and is rescued by a stranger, who in his haste does not , wait for her to.regain consciousness, but places her in charge of a fisherman named Grenichieux, who takes the credit of saving her. The etran- j get eventually returns and discloses ; his identity as the "young Marquis , de Cornville. At the hiring fair he, engages Serpolette, Germaine and Grenichieux, now turned coachman, 'i he scene changes to the haun ted halls of the Chateau. The young | Marquis with his sailors explore the old halls and discover papers, etc., bearing upon the fortunes of the two heroines. The last act is devoted to the unravelling of the mystery attached to Germaine, and old Gaspjrd in his ravings owns that mine is Countess de Lucenay, a title that Serpolette had assumed. Over the betrothal of the Marquis and Germaine come the glad chimes of the Bells of Corneville. As "Serpolette," Miss & Jago again proved her undoubted histrionic ability, and her cleve«' rendering of a difficult character was all that could be desired. "Germaine" was in the hands of Mn Francis, and her tuneful voice was heard to advantage in the various items allotted to her, and her acting was of a very high older. Henri, Marquis de Corneville, was in the > capable hand 3 of Mr Elcoatc, and he gave a free and easy representation of the character. In the rarious solos and concerted numbers his fine baritone voice was heard at, i'-.s best. Mr W, S. Jago was cast as Grenichieux, and his performance was the best he has yet given before local audiences. The comedy is supplied by "The Bailie" and his factotum, "Gobo," and Mr W. Iggulden and Mr D. Walsh in the respective parts kept the house in roars of laughter. The difficult part of*," Gaspard" fell to Mr Harry Hall. Thiq gentleman's acting was a revelation, and would do credit to any professional performer. His representation of the old miser, who will stop at nothing to save his gold, wa3 given in a most realistic manner, and in the finale of the second act, where he loses his reason, the audience enthusiastically cheered his ' sterling performnce. The chorus der serves a word of praise for their excellent work, and the whole-hearted j way in which they supported the ■ principals. A splendid orchestra, unt der Mr Geo. Gray, rendered the > beautiful music in a manner that left * nothing to be desired. The scenery, 3 painted by Mr E, J. : Chilton, was " highly artiatic, and in every way i appropriate, the market scene and 1 orchard in Corneville Park being I specially attractive. 'lhe opera ■> will be produced to-night for the last time, and no doubt will be greeted - by another bumper house.