CARRIE LANCELEY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9651, 7 July 1919, Page 6

CARRIE LANCELEY.

The management of. His Majesty's Theatre- deserves to be congratulated on tke engagement of Miss Carrie Lanceley ami her "Melody Maids," Miss Ava Symons, violiniste, Miss Nellie Simpson, flautiste and 'celliste, and Miss Doris Struble, pianist* and monologue entertainer this evening. They are a most accomplished quartet,, and" the entertainment which they give is an artistic and pleasurable happening. The Christchurch "Sun," speaking of the entertainment in Chrlstehureh recently says:—Of Miss Lanceley, the young English prima donna, one might well, go further, and. count it a great privilege to nave the opportunity of hearing her—she is genuinely gifted, and her fine dramatic soprano voice- made a most favourable impression on. all who heard it last night. After the first half of- the pictures, which were of a rollicking, humorous type, che light* went up, revealing an artistic stage setting, in which appeared Miss Lanceley and her "Melody Maids/ who opened the performj an'co with a verse of the National Anthoin, followed by a second verse, "God Save Our Men." The three instruments and Miss Lancoley's beautiful voice blended exquisitely in the well-known air, and gave a foretaste of the later delights of the programme. Miss , Laneeley's subsequent numbers included the "Jewel Song", from "Faust," in which her dramatic powers, as well as the flawless quality of her voice, had scope, of which the most was made. It is difficult indeed to imagine this fine composition being given in any better style than that of Miss Lanceley's—she not only sang the song well, but'created that indefinable something that may be called atmosphere. Miss Doris Struble may be mentioned as not. only a clever pianiste, but also a very capable monologue entertainer. She gave the audience a lump in the throat v/ith 'her first monologue, "Spotty," and on her return gave a tpjnpciituyua originality, "i ain't going to cry any more," the outpourings'of'a' naughty little girl in a perfect cyclone of a" tantrum/ 1" Miss Simpson's flute aolcs, "Graceful [Dance" (John Lemmorie) and Saint-Saens' delightful "Serenade" were very pleasing to hear, and warmly appreciated by the audience, to whom a lady flautist is always something of a novelty. Miss Ava Svmons at once proved herself to be a violiniste of talent and personality, and her items were given with fine effect, her playing having a. distinctive finish and "polish likely to appeal to all musicianly people. Her solo contributions included a sparkling Kroister composition and a-serenade by Drdla.