"THE GONDOLIERS."

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 228, 26 September 1930, Page 10

"THE GONDOLIERS."

"Hitch your wagon to a star s '' was the motto' of the girls of the Auckland Grammar School when they decided to put before the public the well-known and loved, mer/y music of the Gilbert and Sullivan partnership, and well they did it, with their fresh young voices and gaily dressed stage. The opera was produced and conducted by Mrs. E. Sutherland, who was supported by a strong orchestra and a splendid chorus. To sing the line music of "The Gondoliers" is a big strain on trained voices, and that young school girls should sing it so well Avas remarkable. It showed hard work on the part of the principals and chorus, and careful direction bj T those in charge. The honour of) the evening must be given to the Grand Inquisitor of Spain (Miss Ruth Goudie), who had a good conception of the caustic humour of the character, and spoke her lines with clear enunciation and understanding. Another little singer who took her part intelligently was Margaret Young, who acted and sang as Luiz. The gondoliers were two delightfully pretty young men, and the parts were sung and acted well by Doreen Saunders and Xanee Tver, supported ably by their wives, Gianetta (Sybil Phillips), who sang some of the difficult music quite" charmingly, and Tessa (Jean Moody). After the Inquisitor came the Duke of Plaza Toro, that very hard-up Grandee of Spain, Cicely Butcher, who took the part, was faced with the representation of one of the most difficult characters in the Gilbert and Sullivan range of humour. The Duchess was Barbara McXab, who looked the part and spoke the lines clearly. . As the daughter, Casilda, whose niarriage is the centre of their plotting for power, Joan Maginness rose to the difficulties of her part, and looked and acted well. The well-known music, 'Bury, Cur, Let the Grave Close O'er,'' "Xo Possible Donut Whatever," and "Take a Pair *of Sparkling Eyes," went with a swing, and the fresh young voices, a delight to hear, drew rounds of apujausc.

The stage dressing was richly done, and the chorus singing was an outstanding feature of the evening. The castinet dance, done by the girls, frocked in black appliqued in yellow and with yellow shawls, was a great credit to their instructor, Mrs. Wyatt, who was assisted by Miss Gurr. The other gondoliers ' were Rena Geddes, Muriel Robertson and Ida Bell, and as contadine Roberta Taylor and Xorecn Oman looked well, wntie Faith Johnson took the part of the old foster mother. The chorus was delightful to look at, and a pleasure to hear, and consisted of Misses T. Bennett, R. Frith, M. Gooclsir, E. Harris, B. Knight, D. Lethaby. C. McCracken, I). Rasuiussen, A. Rolton, P. Rugg, l). Sisain, M. Wren, R. Attenborougli. .1. Chalners, M. Elliott, P. Gri.w L. Haniill, M. Johnstone, B. Menzies, X. Macey, V. Moyses, D. Reed, E. Scli::.ider, P. Simpson,vJ. Staler, O. Tetlev, A. Bowman. B. Furber, .M. George, L. Kay, V. Scott, X. Barton, M. Cam]), X. Quinnell, lv. Ashton, B. Battley, 11. Budge, P. Buvtenshaw, C. Button. J. Coo, I. Hills, T. Hoffev, B. Hyde, F. Johnson, Janet McLaren, P. Mason, S. MacDonald,-M. Xewman, X, Rayner, M. Robertson, A. Solomon, E. Stehr, J. Timperley, J. Barrett, P. Bourke. (!. Harries, X. Kemp, G. Sadler, M. Sheahan,' K. Brown, M. Burton, lv. Warn, X. Browne, B. Williams, W. McGowan, M. Hale, M. Metzger, P. Willmette, Gwencth Gardner, Marie Sadler, B. Kerr, F. Anderson, X. Barker, A. Brooking, T. Brewer, G. Bromwich, J. Brodie, A. Isbister. The accompanying pianist was Miss* Haresnape, and the orchestra were Mrs. Winifred Hayes (leader), Misses J. Redshaw, H. Wall, J. Andrews, M. Brandon, P. Munro, K. Murphy, F. Wallis, assisted by Messrs. Keslev, Estoe, Bey and Whitmore.