AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 205, 30 August 1926, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS.

"YEOMEN OF THE GUARD." Although it would be rather difficult to say exactly wherein lies its special charm, '"The Yeomen of the Guard" holds a unique place in the affections of the all-true Gilbert and Sullivanians. Probably the underlying note of pathos accounts for the soft spot most theatregoers have for it in their hearts. There is something haunting about the music. No doubt the old Tower, the old beefeaters, spending the evening of life in the historic precincts, strongly affected both writer and composer. It was a subject. They were dealing with material that it would be hard for an Englishman to profane or even treat flippantly, and it seems quite natural that these two gifted men in using i the Tower as their background have given U3 the most charming comic-opera on the stage to-day. Even the comic relief has something quite touching about it. A little more and Jack Point would have been as immortal as some of Shakespeare's jesters. As it is he is sufficiently pathetic, and the last thought one has of this altogether appealing opera, is of his sorrow at losing his strolling 3weetheart.

Chosen for the second piece on the list of the season of the Williamson Company at his Majesty's, "The Voemen" replaced "The Gondoliers" on Saturday, and was warmly welcomed by audiences, both at the matinee and in the evening. The company is quite at home in the opora, and though, here and there, the performance may not be quite so distingue as some of those performances we remember in the days when Howard Vernon was at his zenith, still it was thoroughly pleasing. The chorus work w.as very good indeed, and this means a lot. for "The Yoemen" is full of delightful choruses.

Miss Strella Wilson's excellent voice, with its extended range, is quite necessary for the exacting part of Elsie Maynard, the strolling gipsy singer, poor Jack Point's companion. She sang the fine music with distinction, and was specially convincing in the more florid passages. Mr. James Hay, the tenor, had a nice conception of the part of Lieutenant Fairfax, the prisoner who finds in Elsie ' the blindfolded maid he married when he was on the threshold of the gallows, just to disappoint a mercenary relation. There is quite a considerable amount of acting with the part, and Mr. Hay carried it off well. Miss Mabel Gibson was hardly equal to the .part of Phoebe vocally, hut_ she acted sympathetically.. Miss Winnifred Williamson played the part Carruthers with unction. Mr. Bernard Manning as Sfergeant Meryll, who eventually succumbs to the close siege of the Dame, was a host in himself, and sang admirably. Another satisfactory character was Mr. Lance Fairfax, as the Lieutenant of the Tower. Mr. Sydney Granville wae sufficiently gruesome as Wilfrid the Gaoler. Some t>i his precedessors have made the part more' repellant, but considering that he was rewarded with the hand of Phoebe, perhaps Mr. Granville's less gruesome reading is trusr. Mr. Charles Walenn. as Jack Point, the heart and soul of the piece, was entirely satisfactory. Sprightly and pert, pathetic and touching, he was always the character. Minor parts were well taken, and as mentioned before, the choruses were very fine.

"The Pirates" -will ravage ,the iootlight seas to-morrow night, and as it is a long while since these blood-thirsty people have been seen here, their return will be sure to be an event. On Thursday evening there will be still another change, "The Mikado" being the fourth piece on the repertoire.

"EAST AND WEST" EXHIBITION. Great crowds visited the Town Hall on Saturday to make the most of their last opportunity of seeing the great missionary exhibition, which has been such a remarkable success throughout the past week. Special attractions were presented by the executive committee, including two pageant plays, items by the Ponsonby Boys' Band, and excerpts from the oratorios by the exhibition choir of 300 voicee. The Maori entertainment proved as attractive as ever, and the gorgeous pageant procession of over 700 performers afforded a veritable feast of colour. The committee has every reason to be satisfied with the success of their venture on such an ambitious scale. A special thanksgiving service was arranged for the conclusion of the exhibition, at which his Grace the Archbishop presided. The Archbishop expressed his cordial thanks to all who had worked so hard to make the exhibition the unparalleled success it had been, and congratulated the executive committee and the organiser, Rev. R. George Coats, on the splendid results of their venture of faith. He hoped that their object would be fully realised and that those who had visited the exhibition in such large numbers during the week would realise more than ever before their duty as Christians in extending world-wide the kingdom of God. The singing of the "Doxology, "Te Deum" and "Hallelujah" chorus was most impressive. The benediction by the Archbishop brought to a close what has been undoubtedly the most successful exhibition of its kind ever held in New Zealand.

FULLERS' OPERA HOUSE. Appearing for the first time in Auckland at the Fullers' Opera House to-day will be the St. Clair Revue Company. This revue has been very successful in Australia, and the reputation of Hector St. Clair, the comedian of the show, is in this town very well known. He has with him many versatile people, including Miss Sadie Gale, who was a lead in Hugh Ward's productions in Sydney and Melbourne. Also Ray McLean, a brilliant dancer, whose whirlwind dancing is a sensation. In the vaudeville section of ttie show the St. Leon troupe will make a welcome appearance. These boys are wonderful acrobats, performing their tricks with wonderful skill and daring. Rayna Carbette, Signor Palmetto, Hasting and Adair, and Maggie Foster will contribute items towards the programme.