COMIC OPERA SEASON.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 304, 26 December 1933, Page 12

COMIC OPERA SEASON.

"THE ARCADIANS" AGAIN. A BRILLIANT REVIVAL. Nothing could demonstrate more clearly that a period of denial has strongly whetted the public appetite in Auckland for a revival of the old comic opera, favourites than was shown by the capacity house, and the enthusiasm of the audience, which greeted Williamson's Comic Opera Company for the opening production of the season, Mark Ambient's "Arcadians," in matinee and evening performances at His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday. ' Instinct with optimism and gaiety, "and with a strong sporting flavour. '"The Aieadiaiie" will appeal to a populace in the throes of a race-week carnival; and the old firm has "done itself proud" in every phase of the production. Brilliantly dressed and mounted, played by a cast which links high talent in musical and comedy leade with decidedly fresh and attractive personalities in support, and exceptionally well orchestrated, the show on Saturday night won a rapturous reception. Especially marked was the enthusiasm for the singing of Miss I Romola Hansen, the Doody study of I Don Nicol, the verve and personality of I Miss Lois Green, the comedy business or" Phil Smith and Miss Marie Le Varre, and the brilliant racecourse dress parade. On the musical side this light opera abounds in charming concerted numbers, and the score ie ever interesting, ranging from one notable comedy song "Always Merry and Bright," through

gradients of comedy scenas, attractive choruses, duets and romantic ballads to one notable lyric, "Pipes of Pan." Don Nicol's distinctively droll Doody sketch in the one high light, and Miss Hansen's fine presence and artistic singing in the other, with a chorus that did ample justice to the score and an uncommonly pretty, tuneful and graceful ballet ever in the offing, completely captivated tho house. Miss Hansen's flexible soprano voice gave distinctive value to the lyrics "Pipes of Pan" and "Arcady is Always Young," for which encores were emphatically demanded. Blessed with a fascinating personality, and able to cope rather more than reasonably well with the music of the part, Miss Lois Green as Eileen Cavanagh, was one of the big successes of the evening. Her solo "Bring Me a Rose," was her gem. but her duet with Herbert Browne (Jack Meadows) in the romantic song scena "Charming Wenther," was also a delightful number. In the role of the saucy lad Bobby, ;Miss Mona Zeppell wae another of the play's personalities, and her solo "Back Your Fancy" was a dashing effort. Phil Smith adroitly picked up the old spirit of fun just where he had dropped it at his peak here about—well, a number of yeare ago—and none of the other favourite funmakei's who have followed' him could, as it were, fill Phil Smith's shoes in his happy manner of bringing Simplicitas up to date with modern quips and witticisms. It was one of his best efforts in Auckland, and that is saying a lot. His "All Down Piccadilly ,, was a scream, ae also was his duet "Somewhere," in which he was assisted by Miss Marie Le Varre, another favourite of past years, who is an accomplished comedienne. The role of the pessimistic jockey Doody, one of the features of the play, was a triumph for Don Nicol in eccentric comedy.

On top of the brilliant froeking and the fine cast, the artistic orchestration came as a final and crowning touch in a performance which has certainly revived enthusiasm for "The Arcadians," and should make His Majesty's a popular rendezvous for the week.