“THE ARCADIANS.”

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10724, 23 October 1928, Page 5

“THE ARCADIANS.”

AMATEUR’ OPERATIC COMPANY

NOTABLE SUCCESS AT OPERA ;‘U.V\ HOUSE, -ft .

Gisborne perhaps more than any other town in the Dominion has hnicli to thank its Amateur Operatic Company, for Poverty,* Bay .is-off the track of the Iqg J.C.W: - shows and companies of similar magnitude. The public,- therefore, has come to rely on the., amateur - organisation to keep amusement lovers ,in touch with some of the better known and more popular plays.. .In "addition- the town has touch talent; for which the. Amateur Operatic:Company-; offers unlimited scope.' Show Week, therefore; has come to be associated with a season by the Amateur r Operatic! Company, with sparkling pfays,- and with crowded houses. "The Arcadians’’ presented for the first time* in Gisborne last evening before an enthusiastic house crowded to capacity, fulfilled all these qualities,’ and At. will add one more, to the. already lengthy list of Riiccesses achieved by the amateurs of Gisborne. , V.The Arcadians”, .has a highly - fantastic story which of overflows with humor, and with music r written by- Leonard- Moncktoii' and Howard Talbot, has all the essentials for success. That success was achieved to the full • last night, lib was amply evident by the spontaneous applause which followed each mumber. For the first time for some years new faces -were seen, amongst the principals. Misses M. Corson, G. ’Fanning, E. Hooper, Mrs. Dyer, and -Mr. T. Moffatt, and without exception,; each scored a well-merited success. -Inevitably on a first night the principals, especially new principals, suffer, from nervousness, but there wag nob the slightest evidence of that last evening. > 5 ■ : > The story of the play revolves around the adventures of one Jas.

Smith, whose aeroplane crashes in Aready, an age-old land forgotten by the world,- and whose inhabitants have found eternal youth. Smith, erstwhile leviathan caterer of London, after being dipped in the well of truth for telling a lie, becomes an Arcadian, - Simplicitas, and with Sombra and Chrvsaea, two Arcadian girls, are sent to reform England. The - scene changes then to the Ashwood racecourse, England, where fashionable England is punting. Here Smith comes into contact with his wife, and the succession of humorous situations • which follow are delightfully effective. Here, too, are introduced Jack Meadows, a reckless punter, Eileen Cavanagh, a sweet colleen, and niece- of Mrs. Gin it and also Sir Geo. Paddocka strong rival to Meadows for - Miss Cavanagh’s hand. The final act depicts an Arcadian restaurant and is a remarkably fine setting for the finale, iti which love finds a way, fcJhuth of the ; simple Arcadian life and ieturns to his wife, arid the Arcadian girls leave England to its fate. The performer on whom perhaps most interest centred. last evening was audoubtedly Miss M. Corson, for it was indeed a bold step on the pari, of the well-known producers, Messrs. Cardston. and .Baxter; to raise a young lady to the part of a pnncipal on her first appearance before the footlights. The result proved, however. that the producers knew their work lor Miss Corson scored an outstanding success as the irisli coiicen. Eileen Cavanagh, amply .fulfilling all the requirements of the play A charming stage presence, with well

modulated - tone, never overdoing her work, her performance drew forth storms of applause. In her vocal numbers she was excellent, her best item perhaps being ."The Girl Withtho Brogue,” in which- she was supported by a male chorus. She also sang with much expression "Bring Me a Rose.’' which with a capable chorus, was another very popular number. ... Mrs. J. Dwyer, as Sombra, an Aicadian, gave a .most meritorious performance, ns the principal soloist. Possessing a charming voice offset with a good stage presence, she carried out her work with marked ability. Mrs. Dwyer delighted the house with her rendering of the ever- * popular ‘‘Pipes of Pan” with its intricate trills. She was heard later in "Aready is Ever Young,” and finally her solo "Come- Back to Aready, which - was received with prolonged applause. , , . . , As Chrvsaea, Sombra’s sister, from Aready, Miss G. Fanning also scored 'a great sucees and gave a most delightful performance, Miss Fanning's beautiful soprano voice has never been heard to better advantage than in her solo, ‘‘l Like London. Miss Enid Hooper played the part of the übiquitous Mrs. Smith with conspicuous - success. She delivered her lines very clearly and forced home the humor in them, lier gesture and expression being particularly e °As Jack Meadows, gentleman buliter, and lover of Eileen, Mr. iiignell gave a very creditable performance both in his spoken hues and 1 his vocal numbers. He was m excellent voice and scored neavih with his solos, "Fickle Fortune” and "The Only Girl Alive.” Mr. Bignella voice harmonised well wrth Miss Corson’s in the ducts "Charming Weather” and "Half Past Two.” The humorous element in the p/ay wav ever-present and had an irresis - ibte appeal to the public. Principal honors were due to Mr. A. who, first as Jas. Smith, of the London catering firm of the same-name, and later as Simplicitas, the Arcadian, held the house convulsed with his smart jokes and clever quips. H facial expressions and costuming bo h served to enhance his work;, whilst his mournful counterance and drollery m •the delivery of his humorous lines were exceptionally good, and his singing of "Mv Motter” was greeted with peals of laughter. As the . fun-maker of the evening Mr* Aachariah was capably supported by Mi. T. Moffat as Peter Doody, a jockey, whose very attitude and face was a study in humor. His number "Sweet Simplicitas” provoked roars of laughter as did also "All Down Piccadilly.” Mr. Moffat was making his first appearance on the stage, and scored a success from the outset. - The parts of other Arcadians were Capably taken bv Miss L. Trowell, Amaryllis; Mr. H. Johns, Strepnon; Mi-. J* Holmes, Damoetas; Miss A. Sherriff, Daphne ; and Mr; A. C. Coleman, Astrophel;. Miss A. Edwards Herald of Dawn. The quartette by Mrs. Dwver, Mr. Coleman, Miss Fanning and Mr. H. Johns, "The Joy of Life,” was most delightful. The role of Bobby, a friend of Jack Meadows, was well filled by Mr. J. Turbitt, who scored a great hit with "Back Your Fancy.’ In the •minor parts the performers all acquitted themselves -creditably. -M\ss Joy Shaw "Pan,” Mrs. Bree -"Lady Barclay,Mr. Athol Allen "Percy Marsh?’ Mr. G. Hart "Harry Desmond.” Miss M. .-Craig "Lucy .Selwvn,” Mr. S. Barnard "Reggie. Miss U. Nolan "Marion,” Miss T. Hill “Beatrica,” Miss K. Elks f'Dryope.P - : Mr,. A. J. Nicdl played the part of Sir Geo. Paddock, a turf patron, gruff of manner and .arrog-ant.-ayith'mucb ability; The quintette, Messrs. Athol Allen, J. Turbitt. A. ZacHariah, W.' Bignell and S. Barhard; "Truth is st> Beautiful,” "was excellently done and ‘was warmljl received. Mr./ M. % Hamilton- Trvrae gave : a fine poftraval of .; "Father Time,” and his number "LQuite.Forgot Arcadia,” was accorded prolonged aP Thl U chorus was’ well - balanced and blended nicelyp-particularly mi' -th£ operiing chorus, "ArcadiansbWe Are. •Again, in vthe ."Chorus of I’ear yaiid the ensemble number ‘ All a Lie and

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the finale, the company showed much ability 1 ‘The Shower' Chorus,’, and the finale depicting*-the start,or the cup race, were exceptionally . wed done. The, “Chorus of Belgravians was also-a popular nmnbel’. and the finale eusernble “Truth is so Beautiful” and “That’s? All Over’S, were delightful numbers’. -fA ':■ Much of the success of the play depends, of course, on its music, and this portion, ,in the hands of Mr. Mainland- Foster, was. ,ag usual, of-*a„ high standard. Never were the soloists overshadowed, or the chorus drowned by thei instruments. Mr. Foster had his . orchestra, well unde r control, and good as the performers were, they can attribute much , olf .their success,, to the painstaking, work, of the conductor of the orchestra. The scenic effects and costuming of the whole company were of a high standardand were considerably enhanced by ■■■ well-arranged Perhaps the most effective scene was the - representation of. the.; crowd watching the 1 ace' from start to finish. It was depicted with convincing realism.; Likewise the;, scenes'' depicting Arcadyr. and. sn -Arcadian cabaret in London wera in decorative.Resign.*•. ■; ~.; * “Tht* ArcadiafiK”.' will he ; ropeafed this evening, the curtain rising at; 7.4 s p.iii. sharp