"GIPSY LOVE."

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 257, 30 October 1929, Page 11

"GIPSY LOVE."

HAMILTON OPERATIC SOCIETY

VERY SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE,

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, this day.

It may be said of the Hamilton Operatic Society that not one of its productions has failed to win wholehearted public approval. It has successfully produced "Our Miss Gibbs," "A Country Girl," "The Runaway Girl," "The Cingalee," "La Maseotte," "Paul Jones,' "High Jinks" and "Katinka." All were successes and of a standard highly creditable to the society. "Gipsy Love," which ppened a six-night season at the Theatre Eoyal last night, eclipses tliem all, and has added a further laurel to the crown of the society. Amateur first nignts are usually ragged, rather fearsome things, which are often pathetic both for audience and cast, but the first appearance of "Gipsy Love" passed off without a hitch. The play itself is tuneful and full of colour, and the dresses and settings, which came from Sydney, give a distinctly Rumanian atmosphere. No cast has ever been so strong in solo voices, nor have the principals been so individual. Although the dominating figure was Jozsi, the gipsy vagabond (Mr. Rhydderch Jones), the most finished and skilful artist was Mrs. Myra Booth, as Lady Babby. She moved about with an easy sophistication that exactly portrayed the woman of the world, while her wonderful voice and song interpretation made her a decided hit. Mr. Jones, who also has a fine singing voice, played the part of the carefree, love light, gipsy rover

with an impressive earnestness. Miss Jessie Richards appeared as Ilova. She sang beautifully but lacked, if anything, a little of the fire one might expect in so romantic a character. Mr. W. Trye, as a simpleton of aristocratic lineage, gave an excellent characterisation of a part that could easily be rendered ludicrous. To him Miss Wynne Manning played a wonderfully vivacious marriageful maid who had set her heart on being wed. Mr. E. 11. Quill, as the pompous, fussy and important Dragotin, father of llova, kept the house in merriment, while Mr. A. E. Bouillon was a typical jovial keeper of a wayside inn. The smaller parts were played excellently, particularly that of Julesa, by Miss Ella Penny, Miss Doris Rhodes as Marischka, and Mr. Hugh Morton as Dimitreann. The house was well filled and the season promises to be a record one. The ballets and choruses are a strong feature. The producer is Mr, A. E. Manning.