"THE ARCADIANS."

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1173, 7 July 1911, Page 6

"THE ARCADIANS."

CLARKE AND MEYNELL'S OPERA CO. "The Arcadians," a musical play in three acls. Hook by Mark Ambient, A. A. M. Thompson; Lyrics by Arthur Wimperis; music by Lionel Monckton aud Howard Talbot. Cast— Astrophel p. Cory. Clirysea, Marguerite Leroy \\>iiiireci O'Ooimor Fattier Time Ernest Laslibrook;. James Smith and Simplicitaii ... Fred Winn I'crcy Marsh ■ Button Ktcholla lloljby Clia.i'les liioilo Jack Meadows Harold Thoriey Sir George Paddock Wilfred liimry liilcen uavanagn Gertrude Gilliam .Mrs. Smith Nellie Kavanagli l'cter Doody Tom Wails "Tho Arcadians" was presented to » large audience by Clarke aud Mcynell's New English Opera Company at the Opera House last evening. Musical comedies, which come this way with tiio stampof both a London and Australian approval, are, us a rule, the brightest and jolliest blossoms on tlio theatrical tree, but in the case of "The Arcadians," other blooms must liavo been pruned to permit of tile cspecial frag, ranco. and exotic colouring by which it is distinguished. Tho general scheme of the play in which the cool, green glades and beautiful nymphs of n gorgeous Arcady become entangled lyith a lively lot of Londoners niakesf. at o'neo a subtle appeal, to the imafcitiou, aud as this is backed up witlS.a coherent comedy device which would miko a screamingly funny farcical comedy bereft of- its musical trimmings, the entertainnient 1 stands out as a most thoroughly satisfying one. Though melodious in places, the music does not account for the success of "Tho Arcadians." It does not catch and hold with the tenacity of many of the gaiety plays, nor has it. tho haunting sweetness-of the .iiays of Ivan Caryll or Mussager; but whiTo it fascinates is in its beautiful setting and its wealth of comedy: There aro very fow minutes -u which thero is not food for either simmering merriment or lusty spouts f laughter, and the world aches for laughter. The opening sceno is a fair prospect in as fair an Arcady as ever poet imagined—a wooded glen, picked out in tho lighter greens of early summer; delightfully mossy banks, soft and cool to look upon. Here it is that the charming maids and callow swains of Arcady sing' blithely of the joy of eternal youth until, rudely disturbed by Father Time, who' has forgotten this olysium in tlio worry of atteuding to a mo-re mundane world. Whispers of monsters called English have already been brought by a seandnlmongering sea-serpent (all things living liavo a language in Arcady), the discus, sion is of these fearful peoplo who live in cages in London—actually sleep in ■them—when James Smith, a fat and. prosperous caterer, who has taken up iieroplaniug as a recreation, drops from' the clouds. As a kind ,of curiosity, lid is made much of by the frcc-mannered' maidens, and is getting along famously,' when, in this land of truth, he tells lie- the first one in the history of Pali's dominions. For this lie is plunged into' tho well of truth, and comes forth a radiant Arcadian, fat aud jolly, with the' smooth pink of perpetual youth glowing upon him. Then tho missionary idea seizes' the' populace. Why not Arcadianise London? Without further ado Smith, now. Simplicitas, with tho fair maidens Sombra and Clirysea aro wafted to England,: and plump down on the Askwood race-. course in the middle of a thunderstorm. Having got over their amazement t'he smart set tako very kindly to the new--comers, taking their embassy from Arcadia story with a wink, but ultimately finding them peoplo of wonderful gifts. It is here that Jack Meadows finds them of great assistance. He lias staked .his' nil on the Deuce winning the big money, but sees his chances fade when Peter Doody, (lie lachrymose jockey who has never ridden a winner in his life, gets bitten by his mount. Sombra _ hears of Moadows's trouble, and puts Simplicitas up (after a private chat' with tlio Dcuce),. with the result' that the Deuco wills glor- 1 iously. Meanwhile Simplicitas has uiado a strong impression on. his own wife, Maria (to whom he is unrecognisable though reminiscent), and 1 the full grows, fast and furious as she confides the ee-. ercts of.her hearth and heart to tho pink; Arcadian,: who is always oh tho verge of giving away. Simplicitas conceives the idea of a great Arcadian ro- ■ ■ staurautj with Sombra, Clirysea, and himself as tho lure, which gives a pretty: setting to the last act, in which Simplicitas, after a giddy time, chanccs to lie to his Maria whereupon he is onca more dipped in a pscudo well of truth, aud emerges tho same old- Smith. S'oinbra brings Meadows back to his allcgianco with pretty Eileen Cavanagh, who has been roaming round with a broken heart, and the forlorn Doody, who has provided a flood of comedy as an attenuated Arcadian waiter, also finds dismal consolation with a Kcmbrandt-haired maid.

"The Arcadians" is as admirable a performance as it is a production. s Tho cumpany is not strong vocally, but that is of little moment v Sen comedy is liing,: and that department is worthily managed. Sir. Tom Walls, as Peter Doody, has a part which ci comodian sufficiently de-' void of flesh could fail, in, and in which this actor revels with a smileloss mourn'; fulness that is dclicious. Every line is li laugh,■ every pose a ludicrous picture pro-, vocative of laughter, and his f/mg, "I've tiotter Hotter," is a screnin. Smith, alias Simplicitas. wns 111 tho capable hands of Air. Fred Winn, who capitally suggested the Cockney caterer in make-up and speech, and acted throughout with unctuous humour. Miss Winifred O'Connor made a very nico Sornbra, and, gifted with a strong mezzo-soprano voice of flutelike quality, sang "Avcady is Ever Voung" and "Tho Pipes of Ban are falling" quite attractively. Miss Gertrude Giliam made a most favourable imnrdsion as Eileen Cavauagh, whose, sweet brogue and coy little ways won all hearts. Miss Gilliam acts well, dances gracefully, and is altogether ono of the '• sweetest sights in a show rich in them. Another successful performance was that, tf Miss Nellie Iviwiuagh, whoso infection.! hum-, our and irrepressible, gaiety m'. Mrs. Smith were prominent, among li:« smileraising elements of the play. Mr. Ilarold Thoi-ley made a spruce, young man about town as Jack Meadows, Mr. Charles Slono frivolled smartley as Bobby, and Mr. Dntton Nicholls dauccd with contortionistic agilit.v as Percy Marsh, a cleverly played part. "The Arcadians" is graced with a stunning lot of show girls, and is mounted and dressed superbly. The orchestra, under Mr. Albert Vernon, was equal to every demand.