'THE MAID OF THE MOUNTAINS’

Evening Star, Issue 22367, 17 June 1936, Page 18

'THE MAID OF THE MOUNTAINS ’

OPERATIC SOCIETY'S PRESENTATION , Those ingredients which make musibal comedy sucli delightful faro for en-tertainment-seekers are contained _in ‘ The Maid of the Mountains,’ which the Dunedin Operatic Society will present at His Majesty’s Theatre for a week’s season, commencing with a matinee on Saturday afternoon. The basic quality of this type of entertainment—music—is undoubtedly the main feature of ‘ The Maid of the Mountains.’ but few musical comedies have such an interesting love story and clever comedy situations running through the whole story. The comedy is sheer good fun, as wholesome as it is fresh. The Operatic Society’s productions have been distinguished by the originality and talent of the ballets, and as Miss Constance Potts has provided this section of the entertainment patrons can be assured that the ballets will be original and novel. A wellbalanced and alple cast of principals has been assembled for ‘ The Maid of the Mountains.’ The company is particularly strong in vocalists, with Freda Elmes, Gwenda Burt, Arthur Lungley, and R. Wilson Brown in the leading parts, whilp Miss Burt and Mr Wilson Brown, together with Major Dampen and Mark Gaston, can bo relied upon to provide all the mirth that is necessary in the highly-complicated situations. As Teresa, Miss Elmes has an exceptionally fine vole, one in which her talents should have full scope. She needs no introduction to Dunedin audiences. and her rendering of the overpopular ‘ Love Will Find a Way ’ and < My Life is Love ’ will be sensational hits in the show. Miss Gwenda Burt will have full scope lor her undoubted Hair for comedv, and her work with Mr Wilson Brown will keep the audience in shrieks of laughter. Miss Patsy Stephens, a new-comer to _ operatic casts, can be relied upon to give a distinctive touch to the role of the aristocratic Angela, daughter of General Malona. Major Lampen is perfectly at home as the fussy old Governor, and his work with Mark Gaston, as Crumpet, aide de camp to the Governor, is extremely funny. The main singing role has been allotted to Mr Arthur Lungley, and included in his lengthy list of' musical numbers is the wellknown * A Bachelor Gay ’ and a duct with Miss Elmes, ‘A Paradise For Two ’ As Baldasarre, Mr Beynolds Herbert has a most exacting role. Others who assist in the cast are Miss Mollie Francis, Alex. M'Dowell, Mason Harrould, E. Fish. Jack Johnson, E. Murphy, and E. W. Griffiths. The chorus, which is one of the strongest ever assembled by the society, is under the baton of Mr James Dixon, and Mr Angus Gorrie, as stage manager, will have charge of the scenic department. The whole production is under the direction of Major Lampen. Box plans are now open at Begg’s, and arrangements for day sales are also advertised in this issue.