"THE GEISHA."

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 17 September 1913, Page 5

"THE GEISHA."

AT THE MASTERTON TOWN HALL. A MAGNIFICENT SUCCESS. Reginald Fairfax ... Mr W. I. Jago. Dick Cunningham Mr J. Gray Arthur Cuddv Mr V. Joseph. George Grims'ton ... Mr H. J. Francis. Tommv Stanley ... Mr G. J. Nicholas. Lady 6. Wvnne ... Miss M. Cameron. Marie Worthington ... Miss Townsend Ethel Hurst Miss Murray Mabel Grant Mrs Bodchngton Louie Plurapton .Miss Whitford. Mollyv Seamore Miss Roberts Marquis Imari, ... Mr Gerald Sutton Takamine Mr W. Iggulden. Won Hi Mr Harry Hall. Juliette Diamant Miss J. Miller. Nami Miss Winnie Logan. 0 Kiku San Miss K. Jamieson. 0 HanaSan Miss Dorrie Dixon. 0 Kinkoto San ...... Miss Essie Bruce. 0 Komurasaki San ... Miss Rita Hoar 0 Mimosa San ... Mr© H. J. Francis.

The opening production of the charming-Japanese opera, "The Geisha" by the Mastertn Amateur Theatrical Society, was brilliancy successful. The Town Hall was crowded in every part by an audience which was most enthusiastic. "The Geisha" il, as its name implies, founded oh life in the beautiful island of Japan. The plot opens in the teahouse of Wun Hi, <<a Chinaman, and a group of English officers arrive from a warship in port, and following the customary practice they proceed to flirt with the geishas, the principal officer (Fairfax) showing a .partiality for Mimosa,\ ; th"e chief gek» aha. The governor of' the the Marquis Imari, follows "close oh the officer's heels, and announces to Wun Hi his intention of marrying Mimosa, but,®, French interpreter, Juliette, employed in the tea-house, has also designs on the Marquis, while Mimost, loves Katarta, a Japanese officer. A, group of English ladies also arrive from their jacht under the cbapesonage of Lady Constance Wynne, and they are followed later by* Molly Seamore, who is engaged to Fairfax, and has stolen away from her chaperoine. Lady Constance comes upon Fairfax listening in rapture to ..a song of Mimosa's, and sh& informs Molly. In'a'fit of jealousy Molly ,disguises herself as one of the geishas. When the Marquis returns, he, too, sees Fairfax with iMimosa, and after raging at Wun Hi, instructs the po* ttd sell the tea-house and its at3ants by public auction. He endeavours to buy Mimosa, but Xady ' Constance outbids him, but when Molly Seamore, disguised as RoHiPolli, is put up for sale, he discovers she is era English girl, and; buys her for a bride.' The second act discloses the grounds of the Marquis* palace, and he has invited the.English ladies* and officers to a chrysanthemum fete in honour of his wedding. /They suddenly disooyer that Molly is. missing,., and are tola '.by'.Juliette of Molly's prank, and the triple which has followed it,; in consWnation they ,seek some plan to rescue Molly. Mimosa, disguised as a fortnne-teHer, enmjes to rescue, and by scaring the Mafquiq, obtains access to Molly to apply a iov(> chafrov The wedding ceremony but;.Molly esoapas from the bridal canopyi and Mimosa puts the brdal veil .over Juliette; and substitutes her in Molly's place. The noble lt bridegroom arrives, and,- goes -through the*ceremony before he discovers that he has marrfed the French girl. Molly and Fairfax are restored to each other, and Minos-a secures her Japanese officer. The piece ran smoothly front, start to finish. There was, inideed,.*icarcely a hitch. . This speaks volumes for the work of the conductor (Mr R. J. Young) and the stage manager (Mr Harry Hall). The scenery* which had been specially prepared by Mr George Gray, was .and attractive, while the sjfcrfge effects, the lime-lights and .the general arrangements were perfecf. • The chorus was full and harmonious,' the evolutions graceful and well-executed, and the music exquisite. The performance was one that would have put to shame the efforts of many a more pretentious combination. The opening chorus "Happy Japan" was well executed, as was also the chorus ."Lamentation,"' and the whole of the pieces taken by the company. Mjss Roberts, as Molly was undoubtedly the "star" of the piece. Her acting was graceful, her enunciation perfect, her dancing exceedingly* clever, and her singing tuneful. Mrs H. J. Francis, as, the Chief Geisha, also scored a triumph. Her part was exceedingly difficult, but it was taken with a vivacity and ease that were charmjng. Her singing vof ''Geisha's Life" and "Jewel of Asia" was' loudly applauded. Both Mrs Francis and Miss Roberts were showered with floral tri-. butes. . Miss M. Cameron portrayed the part of Lady Constance Wynne in a most dignified and skilful manner, and she also received, floral tribirtes. Mfe© J. Miller made a very good French girl, though at times she appeared to forget her nationality. Her acting was splendid for one so young; and her solo, "If That's Not Love," was well rendered.. Mr Harry Hall vvas, of course, quite athome'as Wun Hi (the 'Chinaman); his make-up beting good and his patter most amusing. He was always'in" a happy mood, and kept everybody about him happy. Mr Gerald Sutton lent all the dignity that was required to the parfcof "The Marquis Imari,'' though his movements were at times somewhat erratic. He will probably be seen to greater* advantage to-night. Mr. W. S. Jago, as Reginald Fairfax, did very well,, but might have been a little more . concerned about the loss of his intended bride. . His singing of "Star of My Love" and "Molly Mine" was loudly applauded. All the. minor characters were well taken, and the part-singing and dancing were most enjoyable. The. orchestra, under the conductorship of Mr R. J. Young, was all that could be desired. The personnel was as follows: —FiFst violins, Miss Katie Holloway (leader), Miss Phyllis Cameron, Mr E. Burrows; second violins, Messrs Milne arid Mason; viola, Mr C. Winchester; celled, Messrs Inns and Hunn; bass viol, Mr G. Hutchin- ' son; flute, Mr C. Hill (Wellington); clarionette, Mr J. ; Waterhouse; bassoon, Mr M. R. Varnham; comet, Mr Wilton; drains, Messr- Osborne and

Rich«ords ; piano, Miss Elsie Richards, Ass. A.T.C.L. The chorus was composed as follows: — Sopranos.—Mrs James Archer, Miss Briden, Mis.s W. Moore, Miss D. Moore, Miss McCartJiyj Miss L. Nicol', Miss Twohill, Miss Yates, Miss Pinhey, Miss Stewart, w Miss D. Thomas, Miss W. Thomas and Mrs W. Smith. Altos.—Mra A. C' Pragnell, Miss Millwood, Miss Hood, Miss Brdwii,, Miss Oattell-Webb, Miss Stewart. H. iMiller, Mr J. Bee, Mr L. Nicol, Mr H. P. Hugo, Mr Staples, Mr Roberts. Basses.—Mr Cook, Mr Graham, Mr Tmscott, Mr Walker, Mr Pragnell, Mr Tressider, Mr Stevart, Mr Walsh, Mr Donald, Mr Redmond, Mi: Hall. "The Geisha" will be repeated tonight, when another crowded audience is assured.