“A RUNAWAY GIRL”

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 10140, 28 October 1925, Page 3

“A RUNAWAY GIRL”

ANOTHER LARGE CItOAA D AT OPERA HOUSE. .

The second performance of tile .well-known, musical p ay. “A Runaway Girl,’’ by the Gisbo no Amateur Operatic Society, was even more successful than on the opening n'ght, as the slight hitches and also the nervousness due to a. first performance were entirely absent -last night. There was again a very large audenee, which showed its approb tfcion at frequent intervals, practically all the musical numbers having to be repeated. Miss Rigg as tbe “runaway girl,” added fresh laurels to her success on the previous night. Light-heart-ed and vivacious, a typical Spanish gipsy, and with the add tiori of a glorious soprano voice, it was small wonder slio was repeatedly applauded. Her best musical numbers were “My Cigarette” and the duet with Mr Havre, “There’s No One in the World.” As Carmenith; Miss Edna Jelinek again showed her talents as an actress., her love scenes with Brother Tamerind causing much laughter. Her solo “Soc'ety,” was very popular, as was also the duet with Brother Tamerind, “We’ve Left Barcelona.” Mrs Bowie -’scored heavily as : the thrppy go lucky maid Alice, in love With Flipperp : and she'infused a wealth of action into the,-character. Their duet, “The Piccaninnies,” was deservedly applauded. Miss May Goldsmith repeated her success in the catchy -musical number, v ‘‘Soldiers in the Park” and both the song and the military ballet were repeated. The minor parts were capably filed by Mesdaines Clements and White and Misses Davidson, Butt, and Pithie.

The part of the lover. Guy Stanley, was cleverly interpreted by Mr C. V. Hnrre, who also ach eved much success with his solo number, “Not the Sort of Girl I Care About.” Mr Bignell reepated his success at iLeonello, ‘the leader of the g.psy band, and h's solo number, “Sea Girt Land of My Home.” was again an outstanding feature of the evening. The humor, in the hands of Air. A. Zachnriah as Pi pper, and Mr W. J. Sinclair rs Brother Tamarind, was well placed, and caused cont'nuous laughter, especia. ly in the loye scenes. Mr J. H. Cato as Sir William Hake was very success!ill in his song “You Know What I Mean.” Mr St. Cla'r Keogh capably fi led all requ'rements in the p: rt of Lord Coodle, and Mr J. A. Nieol war. responsible for much merriment fc*. his work as a travelling entomologist. M’nor characters were taken by Messrs A. Allan, W. MacChire, W. Fie, R. Wihfish, 14. B. Gardner, Watkins and Hey worth. The chorus work was again very creditable, and, rs on the previous night, under Mr Mainland Foster, assisted largely in the success of the evening. “A. Runaway Girl” will be repeated to-night. The box plan is at Miller’s Corner.

FROCKS IN “A RUNAWAY GIRL.”

Youth, beauty, color and grace were delightful icatures in the x*roduction of “A Runaway Girl.” On all sides “Vivienne” heard eulogistic comments concerning the lovely stage settings and dressing. The scenes presented were so arresting and so many varieties of costumes were worn that the ensemble left an unforgettable impression. in the convent scene which is first depicted, the maidens slyly smoking, are demurely frocked in pale blue with white muslin collars and cuffs and black velvet bretellcs. Winifred Grey (Miss Rigg) is one of the party, and tiie simple little frock becomes lier well, as does the picturesque wrap she is given when she bids her farewells ar.d' runs away. Winifred appears later, attired as a street singer having joined the bandit musicians. Very vivacious and charming she looked in her light- colored frock, gay silken shawl and scarf, as sne skimmed across the stage ov made deep curtsies to the English tourists. Alice (Mrs Bowie) the piquant lady’s maid presented a bewitching appearan: c. Her little uniform ot black with white muslin apron and jaunty frilled cap was most fetching. With" the coy swish of her skirt a dainty organdie underslip was ofttimes revealed., in the duo with Flipper ..her little “Kuhn” costume is the cutest thing in red and white stripes and with the abbreviated skirt is worn a loose white blouse and upturned yellow sun hat. Alice makes her final appearance in a long black cloak, and a quaint bonnet shaped hat with ribbons set on her curls. Dorothy (Miss Goldsmith) first appears in a much admired lemon colored frock of beautiful silken material, modislily designed on long straight lines, and set off with oriented” fringe trimming, and a picturehat and vanity bag to tone. in her military song she was a dashing little figure in a, gold braided scarlet jack-, ctT, tri-cornered black hat and shoes and stockings to match. As Carmenita, the Cockney Italian street singer, Miss Edna Jelinek was most picturesque and fascinating.:' Her colorful frock was worn with a velvet bolero, white chemisette and a pretty scarf round her tresses, and she carried a guitar. Canncmta later* demonstrates her. love oi lughcass socety with tile airs and graces with which she., wears a w-oixlertul brocaded evening gown of ivory tint. She toys with her pearls and diamonds and ha-ugbtilly tosses her pliv mage-decked head, and when the opportunity occurs glances, admiringly at her (silver-shod feet. Lady Goodie (Mrs Clements) ptases her first appearance in a beautiful glistening silk of henna tint and added a, stylish hat, and later she is seen in a fancy dress ol creamy tint with purple velvet, and black pictuic hat with powdered wig. " Mrs Athol White m her part wears * some much admired frocks; In * Tho Alan from Cook’s” she is m r lovely heliotrope confection and a-.rich red ro-e adorns a side drapery.. Her little cloche hat was to tone.- . Miss Davidson m her character, rtndv -is also gowned to advantage. Flipper (Mr Zaehariah) tlic irrepressible Cockney jockey was a droll 'figure in his check suit and gaiters, and circumstances necessitated that he should be associated with a- wellgroomed voung Englishman, one Guy Stanley (Mr V. Harre) Looriello (Mr Bignell) is a fine figure in bis brown velvet knee breeches and cavalier cloak and hat. duo bandits accompanying him are in similar attire and all sport gleaming daggeßrother Tamarind (Mr W. J. Sinclair) is clad in a priestly cossack «nj hat but a decided reaction sets m i later and lie appears as a clown ; Sir William Hake (Mr H. Cato) j wears a. ; vers ”e.port>’ suit as ■ ft ; Cook’S Tourist, as also does Mi reel ) (Mr A. J. Nicol) who is on Ins honeyi in< Lord doodle (Mr St. Clair Keogh) wears his frock coat and bell-topper 1 etc. .with: an. air of distinction. ; • The chorus arc particularly uclli ! dfc'-scd Some of them have as many ■ j as-five' and six. changes. There are , i prettv flower GgirF costumes of hue, . .. white and silver, image girls m pink i land black. Dorothv girls' in modern . j, frocks made in the long .tunic styks, . Spanish costumes in effective e-lonng. r )•« charming military chorus, Mrwot - 'i girls Orange srirlfi, pr.-turesque \.c : r 1 pptlan .fifivn and- inaideiis' ctC/.iefe.W » fvClipecially W©wtiyW was ~tb,o at the' sajloiftfc:. m cl ; • clmri’s -in : b-'liir.nt miWyry; l,all V ■' t namofr-rbstume.r were vm-ado; W -Mi 1 ’ji Zachariah’ s. firmv as’were aim soire o -' 1 th e Spanish - costum es,, and; ire" era f j -attention:-Was given to). reyoya,;mm ; A to-other J 1( remainder of the ..excellent costume:

came from the Sydney Button-hole Costume .Company. Mrs 'Davies, mistress of the wardrobe fulfilled her duties well, as also did Mrs E. Adair, Misses I. and 0. Crawford, Millar and Gallichan, Mr R. S. Clarkson and others who were responsible for the very artistic “make up” of the performers in general. The producer, Mr Reade Waucliop, the secretary, Mr Bayliss, and all the other officials concerned' must have been highly gratified by the success