THEATRE ROYAL.

Press, Volume XLIV, Issue 19387, 13 August 1928, Page 7

THEATRE ROYAL.

"THE STUDENT PRINCE." "The Student Prince," the immortal tale of the Prince who wooed and won a beggar maid, is playing at the Theatre Royal again thie week, concluding its season on Wednesday night. In the lore of most countries ia to be found a story which 'has thie for its scheme, but among them all there is nose so entrancing .ae "Old Heidelberg." When Sigmund Romberg set this version to musio he achieved something really great, and thus In thie guise such a tender theme ie known to people the world over'. Perhaps the' chief : delight is derived from;, the haunting melodies which have their origin, in the fund of' German student songs. There is nothing ephemeral in the music, while it is not too. difficult to be' appreciated by the average' mind. The cast is unusually capable As Prince Karl, heir to tha throne of a Runtauian principality, Mr James Liddy makes a good leading man. A pleasing tenor, with no mean acting ability, he carries .off. the role, of: pririqe, and later, king, , with great credit. 'Miss. Beppia de Tries, who plays opposite, haa ai) excellent voice, and her acting, especially in the tragic finale, is very convincing. Mr H. Browne and Mr. Arthur Stigartt both appear to advantage.. The subsidiary roles ' are also capably, handled.

"MADAME POMPADOUR." A ——— Next Thursday evening l at the Theatre BoyaJ J. C. Williamson, Ltd., will stage for the first time: here the successful musical comedy, "Madame Pompadour," which recently created a furore in Australia and the North Island. . Musical comedy scarcely describes the music. It is more than. that. There is' a freshness of treatment and a breadth oi melody which places it almost in the bounds of comio opera. The pretty page from the history of the ■ beautiful mistress -of King •Louis XV. is true historically. This' period 'frocking lends itself to brilliant scenes The humour is plentiful and legitimately wedded/ to the story of the mistress, the lover,, and the poet. Miss Beppie de Vries, in the'title. role, has achieved a- great succtess. ' The' talented European artist revels in a . part for which she is entirely suited, and with, versatility she brilliantly, interprets every mood of the magnetic figure which dominates tho story Her soprano voice is heard to the fullest advantage in the music allotted her' role. Mr Arthur Stigant, a favourite comedian, has never- achieved a greater success than in-the part ,of Joseph Calioot, the self-styled poet. Associated with' him is the charming comedienne, Miss Vera Spaull. Mr Frahk Webster, the young English tenor, has scored success as Comte. d'Estrades. Miss Adele Crane, who last visited New Zealand in the leading part in "Lilac Time, will appear as Madeline. Two artists who also have congenial roles are Mr Hedley Hall and Mr P. Cory, and others in the caste are Herbert Browne and Mason Wood, he chorus of over 50 voices is a feature of the performance. A full operatio orchestra is under the baton of Mr Harry Burton. The box plans for "Madame Pompsdour ( open to-day. There will be one special matinee of "Madame Ponipadour" oa Saturday, August 18th.