BRIGHT MUSICAL COMEDY

Evening Star, Issue 22365, 15 June 1936, Page 6

BRIGHT MUSICAL COMEDY

OPERATIC SOCIETY'S NEW ATTRACTIM

In the past the Dunedin. Operatio Society has always made a happy choice for its presentation during Winter ShowWeek—undoubtedly the week when tho public of Otago and Dunedin expects the brightest of entertainment—and this year it has chosen.‘The Maid of the Mountains,’ which should prove even more popular than its predecessors.

Taken from the book, by Frederick Lonsdale and set to music by Harold Fraser Simson, with , lyrics ,by Harry Graham, the ‘ Maid of the JRountains ’ is rich in comedy, 'and abounds with delightful musical numbers. The charming ‘Love Will Find a Way,’ ‘ My Life is Love,’ ‘ A Bachelor Gay,’ and ‘ A Paradise for Two ’ are numbers that cannot possibly be forgotten. The play, which is in three acts, moves at fast speed through episodes of romance, intrigue, and forgiveness, and the authors have happily succeeded where others have failed in sustaining interest in their characters right up until the final curtain falls. Miss Freda Elmes has been cast in the leading, role of Teresa,'and her delightful voice is more than capable of tho exacting work the vocal score demands of her. Miss Elmes’s maih solos of the evening will be > ‘ Love Will Find a Way ’ and 'My Life is Love.’ Mr Arthur Lungley, as Beppo, has the chief singing part in the male cast. His chief solo will be the ever-popular * A Bachelor Gay,’ and with Miss Elmes he will be heard in the duel, ‘ A Paradise for Two.’ Mr Reynolds Herbert. always a reliable man in character work, has the exacting part of Baldasarre. chief of the _ gang of bandits, with whom Teresa lives. Miss Gwenda Burt, already a firm favourite with theatre-goers, is cast as Vittoria. Miss Burt’s undoubted flair for comedy is given full scope in this role, and playing opposite Mr R. Wilson Brown she* should keep the comedy moving briskly. Mr R. Wilson Brown, as Tonio, makes a welcome reappearance after an absence of many years, and witli Miss Burt has the duets, ‘Husbands and Wives’ and ‘ Over Here, Over There.’ Major Lampen, too, again comes to the fore in this production in the roll of- the Governor of Santo. Major Lampen’s work is always refreshing, and he has two duets, one with. Miss Elmes in ‘When You’re in'Love ’ and with Mr Wilson Brown in ‘ Dirty Work.’

Others who assist in the cast are Mark Gaston, Alex M'Dowell, Jack Johnson, Mason Harrould, E. Murphy, E. W. Griffiths, and Miss Mollio Francis. -

The play is being produced by Major Dampen, with Mr James Dixon as musical director and Miss Constance Potts as ballet mistress. Mr Angus Gorrie is again acting as stage manager. The season, which is for one week, with matinees on Saturday, June 20, and Tuesday, 23rd, and June 27, opens next Saturday, and bos plans are now open at Begg’s.