HIGH SCHOOL'S COMEDY OPERA WAS FINE EFFORT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 45, 30 September 1949, Page 4

HIGH SCHOOL'S COMEDY OPERA WAS FINE EFFORT

Perhaps one of the most popular of the Gilbert and Sullivan comic operas is “The Pirates of Penzance”, which was presented at the Grand , Theatre by pupils of the WhakaT tane District High School last night to a packed house. Chiefly because of a strict copyright tnose operas are very rarely heard so tnat any presentation comes as a delightful novelty. Last night’s show was no exception. The paradoxical plot of “-- 'e Pirates of Penzance” is amusing and the parts provide scope for little dramatic acting and much comedy. It was evident, before the play had . progressed far, that the cast was enjoying themselves as much as the audience. Speaking was clearly enunciated, individual acting confidently carried off and the chorus, although singing with undoubted gusto, never over reached to shouting. The presentation ran smoothly, and the solo singing presented some fine voices that was marred only at times by being too soft. As was to be expected the players were nervous from the start but soon settled down. Perhaps the most confident acting came Warren Kirk as Major-Gener*k Stanley, Peter Bowering as sergearfP ■ of police, Michael Warbrick as the'-' pirate king and Hoe Mason as his lieutenant. They provided the comedy and there subtle gestures rocked the audience. Joe Mason especially appeared to be a natural comedienne. Huia Watarawi had a difficult part but succeeded admirably and his duets with the sweet voice of Jill Lockyer were very favourably commented on. They played the part of the hero and heroine very convincingly. But one of the best singing and acting parts was presented by Lois Hawkins as Ruth, the pirates’ maid of all work. She sang and acted easily as the 47 year old maid, determined to catch the young pirate apprentice. Judy Ferguson, Fonda O’Rourke and Margaret Shaw also played and sang their parts well. The finished singing and acting performances revealed the hard work of practice and x rehearsing that must have gone in to the opera. \ There was no prompting _ needed for the spoken parts nor did any of the singers falter. It ran smoothly' and it is to be hoped that the school may be able to present some play or concert annually in the future. The music was produced by I. R. McLean and T. H. Wilson and the ■drama by D. A. Hogg. A creditable string orchestra was organised by A. Aibiston. After the opera the audience v/as addressed by Mr I. Hubbard, headmaster of the Whakatane School, and Mr L. D. Lovelock, chairman of the school committee, who said , that the opera is to be presented in its entirety at Edgecumbe on Tuesday. Others taking part were:— Chorus of daughters of General Stanley: Leonie Storey, Janet Hill, Betty Flay, PauLne Sto well, Anne Goodfellow, Laurita Ducker, Shona Lord, Joan Chadwick, Marie Guptill, Ora Ranby, Cheryl Clarke, Romola Grant, Lesley Anderson. Fay Cantrell. v •

Chorus of pirates: G. Connery, M: Morice, J. Meikle, A. Pryor, E. Waterhouse, B. Flay, T. Harty, J. Raimona, T. Hunt, J. Tukaki, J. Kilgour, P. Howard, A. Baker, W. Keepa, N. Dunning, M. Phillips, B. Cave, K. Noema, J. Fitzsimraonds.

Chorus of poiice: G. Connery, M. Morice, J. Meikle, A. Pryor, E. Waterhouse, B. Flay, B. Cave, K. Noema. ,

The orchestra: Violins, A. Albiston (Leader), D. Saunders, A. Blake, I. Breward; Cellos, G. Anderson, Mrs R. Tong; Bass, C. Armstrong; Flutes, T. Davey, E. Hay; Piano, Mrs L. D. Lovelock.