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Skilful Production By Orchestra Foundation

Last evening, in the Ngaio

Marsh Theatre at Ham, the Civic Orchestra Foundation gave its last performance for this season. Walton’s “Facade” and Menotti's operetta, “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” were presented, and the only doubtful thing about the recital was the wisdom in giving both on the same programme. The “Facade” is very sophisticated entertainment which scarcely seems an ideal companion work for the naive charm of the little story of the curing of the lame boy. However, each was performed with expert skill and artistic integrity. “Facade” combines poetry by Edith Sitwell with music by William Walton so that each contributes to a unity rather than comments on the other. The voices of the readers make an integral part of the texture of the orchestration, and this is helped by the nature of the vowel sounds which are used. Poems of varying speeds and of emotional content were read by Stephen Erber, Mervyn Glue, Vincent Orange, Keith Rainey and Mildred Woods, and read extremely well. Not only did they bring each poem vividly to life, but their precise timing with the complicated musical score was deserving of the highest praise.' They sensed the atmosphere of the music exactly and read with vitally rhythmic eclat. The music was played by Michael Shorter, Brian Whitehouse, John Snelgrove, Ron Glandville, Regina Goudappel, and Allan Chisholm. It was played with such smoothness and precision that we might have been listening to a recording made with all the advantages of many taped performances and the skilled application of editorial scissors. Both the reading and the music were performed backstage and heard through a very good amplifying sound system, while we looked at scenes of famous pictures and of abstract designs thrown upon a screen. The designer of this and of the changing lighting effects, which emphasised the rhythm of the words and music, was Mr Tom Taylor, whose work showed remarkable sensitivity and skill. The performance of "Amahl and the Night Visitors” was much better than that seen a year ago. The setting was more spacious and the delays caused by the former high staircase were avoided. Elizabeth Hellawell, as Amahl’s mother, sang superbly and her polished technique in music and in stagecraft were of great advantage to the whole production. Stephen Creese, as Amahl, acted very well indeed, and showed an excellent sense of timing. His movements were natural and confident and he kept very good clarity. The three kings were played by Martin Harris, Ron Armstrong, and Jeffrie Sutton. They acted with dignity and understanding and their voices were of pleasing quality in solo work

>and in ensemble numbers. Their costumes gave effective colouring, but one could wish that King Kaspar could be given a helmet which would not make him look like a visiting fireman. The Page was played with confidence by Arthur Chapman. The University of Canterbury Madrigal Singers were the shepherds and shepherdesses and they sang with charming tone and subtle expression. The dancers, Kathleen McPhee, Shirley Lang, Jill Baillie, Brian Earl, and Hedley Bamford gave very effective performance. Mr Dick Lovell-Smith, the designer, and Mr Gerald Lascelles, the producer, are to be congratulated on the excellence of the production and upon the pleasing unity of presentation. Mr Brian Barrett conducted this work and the Walton work with meticulous care for detail and with poised sensibility in interpretation. It will be hard, when he goes to Australia next year, to find someone who will make the wide, expert, and pleasantly co-operative contribution to music here which he has done so fruitfully for many years. The show will continue for a week and can be strongly recommended. —C. F. B.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19671202.2.128

Bibliographic details

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31542, 2 December 1967, Page 14

Word Count
616

Skilful Production By Orchestra Foundation Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31542, 2 December 1967, Page 14

Skilful Production By Orchestra Foundation Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31542, 2 December 1967, Page 14