"THE QUAKER GIRL"

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 15 October 1913, Page 5

"THE QUAKER GIRL"

AT THE TOWN HALL. "The Quaker Girl" lias come, arid gone. ' She came, with a reputation. She has left implanted on the memories of a delighted public the recollection ttf one of the brightest, one of the most charming, one of the most delicious comedies that .have ever been staged on the Masterton stage. The .scenery was appropriate and attractive; the chorus Ml apd harmonious; the dancing exquisite; the dresses sfaperb; the music bright and catchy; the whole thing a revelation in cdmio opera that does infinite credit to the author, and to those who took part in its productioni . The Hall' was crowded long, before ; the curtain rose, and the audience entered into the spirit of the opera from the very rise of the curtain. There was not a dull moment from start to finish, and if one of the principals was treated to a greater ovation than another, it was only because the audience was ,so infatuated with, the .music, and dancing, -and ensemble, that it quite forgot the duty it owed some of the most brilliant, of the performers. As the "Quaker Girl," Mi&s Blanche Browne fairly revelled in her part. She was so delightfully simply so fragrantly innocent, andijso bright in her .mannerism that she immediately became a favourite. Miss Grace Palotta, as "Madam Blum," gave .a "magnificent portrayal of a motet difficult part. Her French accent was pleasing, and her vivacity a charm to the piece.. Miss Olive Godwin was most successful as Princess and Miss Jessie Lonnen, as the imaid of the Princess, was decidedly good. Mr Leslie Holland, as Tony Chute, was probably the most attractive of the male performers. His dancing and singing were very clever. Mr Frederick Beade was an excellent Captain Charteris, and Mr Alfred Andrew was moist effective in the character of the Chief of Police. The whole of the minor parts were well taken. Of the musical numbers, the most attractive of a very (fine selection were probably "A Quaker Girl," by Miss Blanche Browne, "Come to the Ball," and "'A Runaway Match." The comedian element was supplied by Mr Jack Cannot, who, as "Jeremiah," kept the audience in a simmer' off laughter throughout. There is not much of him, but every inch- of Urn is the, essence of comedy. His »te» sion in life is to make people laugh. And laughter is the antidote' to dumps, the balm to depression of spirits, the elixir, of life. "Wherefore, Jack Cannot is a benefactor and a philanthropist. He does more to relieve the monotony of life than anything or anybody- we know. He is Jack Cannot. He is wrongly named. He should be named "Jack Can." And so with the rest of the company. They are not all laughter-raisers. But they are all artists. They combine to produce a sense of satisfaction which stimulates the intellect, revives the drooping spirits, and makes everybody pleased to be alive. Vive Y Quaker Girl! Vive Madamoisille Blum! Vive Jeremiah!!