ENTERTAINING SHOW

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 103, 29 October 1945, Page 5

ENTERTAINING SHOW

"THE BELLE OF NEW YOf?K"

The popular old-time musical comedy, "The Belle of New York," was revived at the Grand Opera House on Saturday night by the Wellington Musical Comedy Co., under the direction of Miss Eva Moore.

It was encouraging to notice a definite improvement in the quality of an amateur performance—encouraging to the audience, who thoroughly enjoyed a good show, and to those who place their faith in local talent. In the succession of local productions that have reached the boards during the last year or so, the tendency has been for three or four performers to carry an1 indifferent and somewhat unbalanced cast, and to let the reputation of the play do the rest. With the help of good mounting and able orchestral assistance—both of which have been of a consistently high standard —they have been successfully put across. On Saturday night, however, the responsibility was well spread and ably carried. Indeed, quite a notable advance was made in the field of amateur theatricals, and those who made it possible deserve full marks. The singing was infinitely better, the costuming attractive, and the ensembles well managed, and altogether it was an excellent effort. The solo singing still showed sign% of weakness, and some of the chorus routines want a little smartening up. And a very fine Chinatown scene was marred by a completely unnecessary and sloppy interlude entitled "We'll Stand and Die Together." . .• ■ . Edna Whitehouse as the Queen of Comic Opera gave her usual finished performance, imparting to the role of this marriage-careerist convincing warmth and vitality.. The inclusion of Beatrice Taylor, a young lady with loads of talent and poise, as the charming Fifi,. strengthened the ranks of the principals considerably. Her singing of the catchy number, La Belle Parisienne," was attractively done. Sybil Phillips was excellently cast in the name part of the show, her fine voice making a notable contribution to the vocal offerings, and by way of contrast Billie Ponds's impersonation of the sultry iriUsic hall dancer was cleverly drawn. The pair who almost stole the show, however, were Elyin Arvanitis as Blinky Bill, a tough gum-chewing character with itchy fists, and Audrey Allardice as Mamie, his opposite number. His exaggerated mannerisms and her hard-boiled behaviour almost broke up the show, particularly in the number, "She is the Belle of New York." Kenneth Aitken fitted the part of Ichabod Bronson, a wealthy widower and president of the young men s rescue league, perfectly. He had the presence and the proper stage manner, and he gave an impressive performance. Cyril Tilley as the madman out after blood provided much of the fun, and John Hedley-Brown as Doc. Snifkins, a theatrical producer with a violent taste in waistcoats and gloves, was good. Maurice Tansley was a little disappointing as Harry Bronson. He hardly lived up to the promise of his opening scene, though one good feature was his singing. He talks down to the floor too much. John B. Stanton as a low comedian, and Theo and Raymond Nippert as the Portuguese twins, performed capably. Of special interest was the dancing by the gifted.pair, Joy Smith and Alexander Grant, in both solo numbers and a deux. There was also an attractive and well-trained ballet. The orchestra, under Wilfrid Kohn, added much to the enjoyment of the show. "The Belle of New York" will be repeated this, evening.