"TUTANKHAMEN"

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 139, 15 June 1931, Page 5

"TUTANKHAMEN"

AN ARTISTIC SUCCESS

The Wellington Amateur Theatrical Society had reason to congratulate itself on Saturday in its production at the Opera House of "Tutankhamen." In many respects the entertainment came well up to professional standards. The play is of New Zealand origin;' the subject, an inquisitive American's experiences in the newly-uncovered tomb of Pharaoh, and the collaborating authors are L. IJ.1 J. Leary and Eric Waters. The scene is laid in the modern Egypt by the tourist, but an excursion is made into the past when the Israelites were in bondage. There is no necessity to give away .the whole story, but it is ingenious, constructed in a workmanlike way, and holds the interest from first to last. The sub-title of "Tutankhamen" is a lyrical echo of ancient Egypt, so that music is ' one of the outstanding features of the play, but some of it is original but. not particularly distinguished, some of it is borrowed with good judgment from various sources. What does call for special commendation is the generally excellent rendering of the choral and orchestral sections of the work, and for this Mr. J. i\ Woodward was responsible. The inevitable little, roughnesses here and there of.a first -performance were noticeable, but not..too pronounced' nor beyond adjustment. The.principals in the .cast no dqiibt were carefully chosen. To Mr. Norman Aitken.; was allotted the part ..of -. George Washington Blatant, .the American to whom so much happened .as a result of his. violation of the sanctity of the tomb of a dead Pharaoh. Mr.. Aitken is a versatile comedian with a well-carrying voice and a fujid of knowledge of what best .to do with any part, and he made the utmost lof tlmt of Blatant. But "Tutankhamen" I a fiords ■■ but scant opportunity for. (be [ cxcix-ire of Mr. Aitken's gifts and . resourcefulness, which are. generous, , and he was called upon to carry the whole load of what comedy there -was in the play. He made the utmost; of his topical song (inclusive of reference to the 10 per cent, cut), "In the Days of-Tutankha-men." His was not the only outstanding role, but lie made it-so. ■ Miss Gretta Stark, a dainty,-petite,-'and'vivacious soivbrette, made a good impression as Lady | Veronica, wife of Blatant. She sang and danced with lightness .and gusto, and looked bewitching, in her white riding habit (Jodhpurs and all), and, like most soubrettes, spoke .rather than sang the words' of her. song. "Hippo"—and Miss Stark has a most agreeable fresh young soprano voice. Miife Kita Kemp, to whom was "allotted the part of Tji, an Egyptian princess of the ancient regime, and fiercely orthodox in her. convictions, was a most accomplished '.member . of. the cast,, with a strong- dramatic, sense and. a "beautiful voice used with .fine ; effect in her male-' dictory/.'.sdng,..'*Curs't:■'.'be the"Pharaoh." Mr.- "Kay ■ Kemp',' 'an accomplished-:• singer, made' a dignified Tuiankliamen,7erideayouriii'g to preserve" the atmosphere -and-.show-, ing :sound: knowledge' of- the possibilities, of the part. 'Miss- Ethel Oldbiiry-.Jones was cast for the congenial, part of Annubis, the philandering queen of the Pharaoh, and seemed happy in the role. A fine singer was disclosed in Mr. Aubrey Beckford, as the Royal Embalmer. Mr. George Power, as Zinonfi, a blend of the Grand Inquisitor and Koko, the senile Royal architect and Torturer-iu-Chief, was responsible for some of the laughter. Lesser parts were capably filled by Mr. 8,. Charlton as 'Captain Francis,. Mr. J. Cooke as Seti, Mr. D. Alexander as an,' Isiraelitish patriarch, and Miss Mabel Turner as sister to Tutankhamen. The auxiliaries were well trained, and knew their work.

A pronounced feature of the play was the dancing, for which Mr. Joe Knowsley was responsible. The ballets were on a professional level, and the solo and dual dancea were emphatically so. There were dance items in Tutankhamen that, would do credit to any similar entertainment in any city, and especially that of Miss Elvie Aitken as the Spirit of the Tomb. The Court dancers ballet (soloist, Lindsay, Greig) and the ballet opening Act IL (solist, Jean Denham) were two that invited comparison with any • professional work.

The mounting of "Tutankhameti" was moat artistic. Scenery and costumes and dresses (evening dresses now to the ankles by the way) were excellent, and evidently expense had not been allowed to-'stand in the way. Considered as a theatrical production, the work was a brilliant, theatrical masterpiece. As a feast for the eyes alone it was* a splendid entertainment/, and should pack the Opera House nightly during its limited season.