"WHITE HORSE INN"

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21715, 24 February 1936, Page 4

"WHITE HORSE INN"

NOTABLE TRIUMPH FOR NEW PLAY ENTHUSIASTIC AUDIENCE AT THEATRE ROYAL Vith a spontaneity which belied the Reputation Christchurch seems to have gained for rather tardy appreciation of jgood things of this kind, a huge audience at the Theatre Royal on Saturday evening gave "White Horse Inn" ithe warmest possible reception. For the younger generation at least, the stage has rarely offered the city such an instantaneous success as this tuneful, lilting musical play. It seemed to be one long night of brilliant successes and enthusiasm. When the last curtain fell there was an almost unprecedented exchange of compliments. The players and the audience made contact with a riot of gay streamers flung from stalls and circle, the audience applauded the players, the players then applauded the audience, the audience had another round, and after joining in the National Anthem left the theatre positively beaming benevolence and enthusiasm for "White Horse Inn." It. was a notable triumph. , In fact the new play will go down in stage history here. There was one moment when the enthusiasm—on this occasion principally for -that clever comedian, Don Nicol—rose to such a prolonged crescendo that it seemed just possible that the Theatre Royal . would see an extremely rare sight—a Christchurch audience rising to its feet with enthusiasm. Had Don Nicol; waited for the compliment surely he would have been given it. As it was he modestly went on with the play. But from that moment the audience waited impatiently for his return. This was no isolated incident. Frequently the applause could not be restrained until the end of an act or a dance, but broke out time and again at some amusing bit of humour, some glorious ballet, lovely setting, or one of those appealing little songs which Romola Hansen and Herbert Browne gave us. There was enthusiastic applause, too, for the success achieved by the revolving stage about which so much has been heard, and used in Christchurch for the first time for this play. This device, by speeding up the action behind stage, not only gives a new smoothness to the business of the play itself, but allows wider scope and initiative in setting, to such an extent that some of the scenes presented here could not have been managed efficienly under the old system. Grasping the significance of the change, the audience on Saturday broke into prolonged applause when the huge stage revolved once and in the one revolution showed the several complete sets. In every way the setting of the play was worthy of this keen appreciation. The lovely Tyrolean scenes were so faithfully reproduced that smoke rose lazily from mountain chalets, goats ambled about occasionally, waterfalls tumbled down-ferny cliffs. This new presentation also made possible an amazing continuous harmony of colour in every scene. Brilliant costuming and modern lighting blended with the natural colours of landscape and mountain behind—all in harmony with the gay nature of the play Itself and the whole show moved with easy smoothThere was enthusiastic applause for the first set even before the action started. In this first scene outside ,the inn Don Nicol, the head waiter, discloses the first throes of an Incipient love for the proprietress, Josepha (Romola Hansen). In a pleasant variety of romance, jollity, charm, and a little gravity, it is not;.hard to follow rapid development of this ~a ffal^• There are complications with the arrival of Valentine Sutton (Herbert Browne), a young lawyer who ought to be in love with Josepha but falls in love with Ottoline (Miriam Lester), whp is the very pretty daughter of John Ebenezer Ginkle, of Clacton, utiderwear manufacturer and self-made »man. But future audiences would rather see for themselves than be told the troubles of these lovers, their fathers, and their hangers-on. But they ought to be told to expect pleasant surprises and a romantic thrill. There are mechanical surprises, too. In the first scene a steamboat, with Crew and tourists on board, floats on to the stage. In the third, cows wag their heads knowingly/ at the billings and cooings of a loving couple. In another, heavy rain falling on the stage is a fine bit of realism; the goats wander about, sometimes peacefully, sometimes dangerously; pigeons preen themselves on a loft in another really attractive setting.. , . . The ballet numbers are a prime attraction throughout the play. There are many beautifully-costumed dancers, splendidly trained; a group of Swiss dancers were one of the outj standing successes; several small child i dancers appear often and show ,< contagious keenness for their work; and ! ensembles by the entire cast (one of the biggest ever brought here) <*re all part of the lively action which/carries the story on without any hitijh. There were so many individual successes worth noting during the evening that if only a few •namtfs are mentioned it is because some/had greater opportunities than others.) Of course, Romola Hansen, so well; known here, was given unanimous /judgment as a complete success. Sh£ has improved on her last performance in Christchurch, perhaps beor&use the vehicle is so much more suitdd to her undoubted ability as an actress? and a singer. With Herbert Browne, -whose fine voice seems to have gaisned in strength and quality, she sings Several duets which Will be hard to forget. Don Nicol's success was immediate and memorable. He made all lauah unrestrainedly a hundred times, amd then made all sad momentarily abolut his unsuccessful romantic But his success could in no way cflash with that of Alfred Frith, really first-class comedian and actor. To him Eun-making must come naturally, for at > the end of the play he made a short | speech with an amusing quip in every* sentence. But there is a trio of fine ;comedians here, for who among the huihdreds who saw the play could resist Ithe antics and clowning of that irresistible fellow, Alban Mack? With IMarie Conah he gave the audience a [laugh a minute whenever they were bra the stage. Mack is surprisingly versatile and a gifted comedian of promise.} Master Grieves and Colin Crane had; individual suCr cesses in smaller roles/ The fine orchestra scored collectively, playing an unassuming but all-impfertant part in the production of one of t\he finest musical plays the city has seW

, J. C. Williamson, LtdV announce that "White Horse Inn" performances will commence each eveninfc at 7.50. The doors will open at 7 o'fiock. For the convenience of patron* unreserved tickets for stalls and galMfery will bfe on sale at the Theatre Royal from 9 a.m. daily. Booking is now open at the D.I.C. for thfe entire season. : . ■■'"'"' \ Matinees will be given lon Wednesday and Saturday comm&neing at 2 o'clock. Children will be fedmitte'd to all parts -of the Theatre aft half-price. All the features of the evjfenhig Performances will be include© at the matinees. . V