THE MAID OF THE MOUNTAINS

Evening Star, Issue 18021, 15 July 1922, Page 3

THE MAID OF THE MOUNTAINS

COLOR, ROMANCE, AND MUSIC. Tho bos plans for the seven nights’ season and next Saturday and Wednesday week matinees are now open at The Bristol Piano Company for tho big J. C. Williamson 1 Maid of tho Mountains ’ production. Writes a leading Australian critic i ‘ ‘ The beautiful opening scone of ‘ Tho Maid of the Mountains ’ —a brigands’ ■ lie against a background of scudding ads, with a moon low in the sky—- : the second act, tho setting of di is as brilliantly delicate as a water color, are typical of the ■!c changes presented to _ theatrers wise enough not to miss ‘ The Maid of tho Mountains.’ At times it has dignity and dramatic quality unknown in comic opera; at others it drops almost to low comedy, and at still others hovers lightly in a kind of musical ‘No Man’s Land ’ between farce and romance. Tho music is haunting—a fact known to Sydney for several months already—and tho plot boasts more substance than has been granted to comic opera in a decade. The cast is consistonly solid, and the staging a thing to bo grateful for. Miss Sheila Gale, in the name part, leaves a vivid memory. Her Teresa is passionate, charming, and graceful, and she is never more pleasant than in the opening scene. Miss Mione Stewart established herself, being a delicious vixen with a lithe figure, a snapping eye, and a happy knack of wearing a charming frock. Miss Nellie Payne, as tho governor’s daughter, maintained an attractive _ attitude of casual airiness. Mr Leslie Holland’s humor was as useful ns over in mak'ing amusement. Mr Frank Freeman was the handsome exponent of the bold bad brigand of fiction, who turns up trumps in the end. Mr Robert Chisholm, a swcot-voiced Beppo, and Mr Fred Coape, who portrayed Carlo, were also favorites. Mr Arthur Stigant fooled cheerfully through the inanities that fall to him in tho role of Governor of Santo, and with Mr Phil Smith was particularly successful in a dumb crambo duel dance. Occasional gipsy dances, charmingly done by attractive damsels, also added to the evening’s delights. The ‘ Maid of the Mountains ’ has been welcomed by with open arms, and is likely to remain for long a favored friend.” The reappearance after an absence of ton _ years of Mr W. S. Percy must bo hailed as an altogether pleasing circumstance. Mr Percy will bo seen as Tonio, the brigand’s handy man.