"LES CLOCHES DE CORNEVILLE."

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 110, 5 November 1925, Page 9

"LES CLOCHES DE CORNEVILLE."

Year in and year out the Palmerston Nbrth Amateur Operatic Society puts on a consistently good representation of some well-tried comic opera 6r musical comedy. Last year it was "Floradora," this time "Los Cloches de-Corneville" was produced, and with, on tho whole, artistic success. The first night's performance ran fairly smoothly, but on the second presentation all asperities • had disappeared, and the company and orchestra-had got into - the swing of. the opera. Mr. A. J. Graham, musical director, had the following instruments in his orchestra: Five violins, double bass, flute, A and B clarinets, bassoon, tenor saxophone, cornet, trombone, drums, pianoforte. The company was as successful^ in its principals as in "Floradora," which was one of its greatest ■ triumphs. Mr. B. Jacobs played the heavy part of Gaspard, which was not a bit over-emphasised. Mr. A. E. M'Kegg was cast for the Marquis, and with his good looks and fine baritone made a great hit in the part. Mr. G. F. Hubble as Grenicheux was overweighted in a vocal sense. Mr. W. Moore made- the utmost of Tho Bailie, and Mr. B. Bo water as Gobo was loudly applauded for his eccentric dancing. . The principal ladies were Miss. Naomi Whalley as Serpolette, and she proved tQ have a congenial part, was appropriately hoydeiiisk and vivacious. She proved possession of a-delightful voice and an ingratiating way with her audience. Miss Ariui Ashworth, as Germaine, closely approximated the professional in her singing aud acting and thorough understanding of her part. Tho ladies of the chorus showed- a better grip of- their work than the gentlemen. The ballets were very good,. and the solo dancing of Misses Diana Tabor and Eileen Stone was quite up to professional standard. Mrs. Hulme was tho producer, and was deservedly congratulated i'or_ the successful outcome of her labours.