OPERATIC SOCIETY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 75, 26 September 1938, Page 4

OPERATIC SOCIETY

"THE STUDENT PRINCE"

In a laudable attempt to recapture the original charm of a , day that is gone the Wellington Operatic and Theatrical Society has produced "The Student Prince." The first. performance took place on Saturday at the Opera House. The society was not, ! perhaps, well advised in selecting this popular and delightful musical play, because it is of the kind calling for vocal and histrionic resources of an exceptionally high quality and which are not always at the command of non-professional organisations. Singing is not all, and a good voice in principal parts of plays of "The Student Prince" pattern is but one, although an important qualification, for the principals in the cast. However, societies have to do the best they can with the material available. The playloving public, especially the rising generation, are in their debt for putting on enjoyable musical plays that would have little chance of revival today if left to agencies compelled to take a rigidly business view of such ventures. The Wellington Operatic Society, therefore, deserves credit for its enterprise in presenting "The Student Prince." It is a well-knit play with a coherent story to tell; its music is arresting and essentially popular and rich in .melody; its situations are interesting arid at times dramatic; and it has not #he conventional ending that might be anticipated, after the curtain has been up,for a few minutes. Incidents in the story, however, are correlated and there is but little room for intrusion of those that do not properly belong to it. Some extra dance numbers, however, in this particular presentation, were fitted neatly into the play, were well, done, and given the spirited applause that they deserved. v . For the benefit of those not familiar with "The Student Prince," and who intend to see its performance, it may be stated that a young German princeling, who has been under rather severe tutelage and had his movements controlled with rigour, is sent to the University of Heidelberg in charge of his tutor, who is an alumnus of Heidelberg. The tutor reIceives instructions to keep an eye on the youth in return for his exaltation to the Privy Council. The pair go to Heidelberg, and the Prince is taken into the Saxon students' corps his tutor, being a party to the proceedings. The Prince miT g Arev, els Tat the Three Golden Apples Inn falls in love with the students' favourite waitress and eventually arranges to elope with £f r to^? aris' Promising to marry ul' v Duty recalls him to the court, but he remains constant to the girl even after he is betrothed to a princess. And the-girl? Well, she-no, the sequel should not be disclosed. After an introduction by way of prologue, the curtains part, disclosing an exceedingly pretty scene of a beer garden .overlooking the Neckar, showing Heidelberg heights in the background, also a stage full of girls prettily dressed in peasant costumes. Here opportunity is taken to introduce a Tyrolean dance, neatly and vigorously executed by Edward Parlette and Dick Russell. The ballet dancing is in keeping with the high art displayed by the principals. Students in their corps uniforms burst in and take part in the revels, and later the Prince arrives and is captivated by the students' jollity and songs, and their singing (off-stage, unaccompanied) of the ancient "Gaudeamus igitur," is avery. effective detail in the performance. Another but more elaborate scene is that of the court ball in the throne room of the king's palace—the prince having,succeeded to the throne. This scene was accorded a great reception on Saturday not only for the setting itself, but for the graceful dancing, especially the gavotte, and the variety and brilliancy of the costumes and uniforms. Last scene of all was a return to the beer garden. The Prince was played by Mr. Norrie Den ton, who possesses an agreeable tenor voice which he knows how to use. He gave an air of sincerity to the character and one of gaiety, too, when the occasion, required. He sang at his best in the duet "Deep in My Heart," the "Serenade," and "Memories." Kathie, the girl loved by the Prince, was portrayed by Miss Alma Clegg, who is blessed with good looks and a most pleasing if rather light soprano voice. The role of Dr. Engel, tutor to the Prince, was entrusted to Mr. Ivan Smith, who looked, acted, and sang the part with distinction, especially in "Golden Days." Princess Margaret, betrothed to the Prince, was coyly played by Miss Norma de Fincham, who displayed undoubted talent, calling for fuller development and scope than the part afforded. An amusing impersonation of the highly proper Grand Duchess was given by Miss Kath Ainslie. Generous comic relief was afforded by Mr. George Power as Lutz. Miss Ina Small made a vivacious Gretchen. The choruses were excellent and the students' songs, the drinking choruses in particular, were given with gusto. The ballets and dances, arranged by Dorothy and Edward Parlette, were very bright features in the production. The orchestra was well balanced and gave a highly creditable account of itself in detail and as a whole, Mr. John F. Woodward directing. "The Student Prince" was produced by Mr. Harison Cook. It is bright and jolly entertainment and with the unavoidable creases and wrinkles of a first public performance ironed out, smooth-running and brisk performances are assured. It will be repeated until Tuesday, October 4, and another matinee will be given on Saturday next.