"FRASQUITA."

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 55, 7 March 1927, Page 6

"FRASQUITA."

LOVE, GIBLS AND LAUGHTER

Costumes, castanets, and comedy alliteratively describe Franz Lehar's light opera, "Frasquita." It's first performauce at the Opera House on Saturday was in the nature of a theatrical event of importance for it has not yet been submitted to the approval of Sydney orMelbourne, which is reverting the order of things. JS TeW Zealand is generally being furnished .with what they first endorse. Someone whose memory was iaulty wrote that the premier performance; of ' Frasquita" in Christchurch was notable for being the first time that the tneatneal house of Williamson produced any work of the kind in New Zealand, about "Katinka," in Welling-

Hot, passionate gipsy love of the Spanish variety is the motive of "Frasquita." Act I. introduces her a poor, proud, scornful, beautiful Komany singer and dancer, wrongly accused as a pick-pocket She takes an oath to be avenged of her accuser, Armand Mirbeau- (.Mr. Herbert Brownej a wealthy young Frenchman. Act 11. shows how she accomplishes her purpose by making him fall in love with thl' ! aU f 'a Ol, 1 T t T l; am PUug his Passion in the dust. Act 111. reveals her repentant and from top to' toe, passionately in love with Armand, and he, relenting, obligingly foregoes Dolly Girot (Miss llielma Burness) wlio cheerfully consoles R k Tl9 frle"d fippolyt Gallipot (.All Barrett-Lennard). So much for the £°tl? ntf the^ 1 ls a Plot, a definite tale to tell all worked out in prpper order but Pvi^splendid opportunities for Ssplay .of all the ai-ts.of.the.musician, costumiet scene-painter, stage carpenter and eW coS^ "S d abovl*"> ™ple loom for comedy and "business" appropriate to itroom fully .occupied, by Messrs. Barrett to A^ndMirbea'! 161" °f tnTl h vm-f 1C ff empi '''lti6an-v Leharian, and to-day, it ; ofiers. comparison with his , Merry. Widow/?-;- first, uerformed twenty years^ ago . ;t i me impi . oved the Vrt°of •Lehar.as good wme improves with age? Bn?tl! S ;' 'W?P™:iPV. .critics to discuss. ?,,* c inasio of.-JTrasquita" is certainly blight, undeniably; attractive, in parts.al-hu-mg and quite equal to the task of tittil.■"'"e.the.general public's musical palate, making it crave for more. ■It was met with the, sti-ongest. expressions of approval, on Saturday night, especially a "lias-sion-flower". duet by.Miss Burke and Mr Browne, Besides, there were moments occupied by-Frasquita herself, when the music approached that of grand opera in its romantic intensity.' Not only the principals, but the chorus and orchestra, handled the music with all the competency and full understanding expected of them, by a critical audience. Ihc members of the cast, too, seemed to fully realise that to achieve the best results with the audience, to secure the most telling effects, something more than singing and good looks were necessary. Miss Burke showed sound judgment in the use of her voice, good commonsense in the employment of her natural vivacity and dramatic sense; also, she displayed profound art in the wearing of her clothes, appearing to fully realise the importance of costume as a means of intensifying strong situations. Description of her's, as of other, dresses, in "Frasquita," however, does not come within the limits of this notice." Mr. Browne has a very agreeable and well-managed tenor voice, and knows how to employ it with the best results. He has the requisite looks and deportment that make an admirable counterpoise to the dramatic character of Frasquita herself, as Miss Burke conceives the part. Can a work of this sort successfully carry two "star" comedians? It all depends. On what? The comedians. "Frasquita" was singularly fortunate in-including in its cast Messrs. Barrett-Lennard and Cecil Kella\yay. The former is obviously blessed with the precious gift of knowing' just how far to go before stopping, the latter is gifted with a humour comparable to a rich, warm-coloured, and fruity wine. Both are able to invest their parts with the charm of spontaneity; both equally share the attention and approval of the audience; vsnid- each, when alone on the stage, knows! how to keep a full house -laughing... ' When Mr; • Bavrett-Lenuard burst on to. the stage dressed in full panliiered skirt, wearing a black mantilla, and a high-back comb, and seductively playing the fan game, the house shrieked with laughter. But when Mr. Kellaway, in mellow moments, said things and did things that men do when they have dined well aud wined.well, the. house shook in its chairs with merriment. Take away Messrs. Barrett-Lennard and Kellaway anil '"Frasquita" would be top-heavy for its weight of' frenzied love . aud passionate amorous outbursts, but the.se artists keep it on an even keel. Miss Thelma Burness proved herself to bo v charming little artist, singing' freshly, dancing- with graceful lightness, and generally entering wholeheartedly into the spirit of her part. A tango, danced by' Miss Sylvia' Miller' and Mr. Robert Helpman; was rapturously applauded. Miss Marie 'Eaton's Spanish dance was also highly approved. Lesser parts were capably handled. Incidentally, Miss Burkes French pronunciation is commended to other members of the cast.

As an example of the producer's art, "Frasquita" is a triumphant success. It ran smoothly from first to last on Saturday, and had obviously been thoroughly rehearsed. Furthermore, its dances, groupings, and tableaux were as near perfection in works of its kind as anyone would look for in any theatre in Europe or America. The scenery was well painted and competently set and lighted. The first scene was trfken "From the Sunny Spanish Shore," the second, the interior of a cabaret in Moorish scheme of decoration; the third, also an interior, giving on to a balcony overlooking the Ruo do Rivoli and treetons of gardens. Mr. Harry Burton had good reason to be pleased with the performance of his orchestra, especially in its rendering of running commentaries in music on the action of the play; and tho stage , management evidently left nothing to chance. "Frasquita" plays all through this week. It should not be missed by any who enjoy bright music, clean comedy, and effective stage pictures.