OPERETTA AT MANAIA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 6 October 1927, Page 2

OPERETTA AT MANAIA.

“THE MAGIC RUBY.”

A. SUCCESSFUL PRODUCTION

The feature of the very successful and artistic presentation of the Oriental operetta “The Magic Ruby,” given at tiie Town Hall, Alanaia, fast night was the fact that in a large cast of characters, demanding very diverse types and great ability in acting and in singing, the whole of the performers were young Manaia people. That they did well there is not the slightest doubt, and this was confirmed by the enthusiastic reception given them by a large and delighted audience. The operetta comprised, three acts, well done in acting, in dressing and in staging, with the result that the delight of the' audience was very apparent and that this was borne out by the encores demanded. The opening scene depicted the outskirts of the Rajah’s palace, with its formidablelooking battlements and its artistic setting generally, a gay company of European ladies, charming pouris, and then the broth of a boy Patrick MoGee. That part was excellently taken by Tom Hickey. In Nelly O’Neill, who entered early into the story, Airs. C. Abbott, the company had a clever actress, who also sang with much effect. She made every point in her songs “Dear Isle of Erin” and “Love’s Old Sweet Song,” and the duet with Harry, “Love’s Golden Hours,” was a particularly attractive item.

The dancing throughout was very taking and graceful, the girls in their exceedingly bright and pretty Eastern costumes, ' the servants with their punkahs fanning their mistresses, and dressed in red and white garments, and the English girls in their stylish dresses, made a picture ensemble that was most effective, and their graceful movements were much admired. With Alajor Bangs, V.C v glorious in his full dress and later in his gay mess uniform, and taken very effectively by Malcolm Walker, came in the clever little Chinese boy Ah Sin. servant to the Rajah. This youngster, Keith Davis, was like a shadow to the general, and impersonated . the. wily Chinee remarkably well. His “pidgin” English was very clever. The general’s song, “I’m a Alodern Major-General,” made quite a hit. The Rajah (Horace Hansen) looked the part. He invested the character with becoming dignity, and was gorgeously dressed. His song, “The Ruby of Rajahpore,” was a good effort.

Another excellent character sketch was Raj the Rakshasha, the evil spirit who, attended by his sprites, danced capitally and gave the appropriate touch of the supernatural to the scenes. in which they took part. In this Arthur Davis gave a very effective monologue in the first scene. The second stage setting was the Cave of the Evil Spirits, and Raj was there in his element. The lighting and staging effects were a triumph.

In ma.rke.cl contrast was tke appearance of tke Goddess of X/iglit (flossie Lewin), most attractively dressed. Her Mowing costume and her pretty head dress were particularly well arranged. With her spirits of light she appeared in several pretty dances and tableaux.

As Harry Lisle, the boy who recovered the famous ruby and restored it to the Rajah, thus winning fame and happiness, Emily Davis was quite successful. She carried out the search through the Cave of the Raj in realistic fashion, and made a dramatic disclosure when she appeared to hand it to its rightful owner. Her song “Love’s Armour” was well sung, and she was good also in the concerted numbers.

The third stage, scene wag the Rajali’s garden and the dressing here again was excellent. The pillars, rose clad in red and the contrast of the greenery made a pretty picture. The choruses throughout were _very well sung, and in ail this acting there was a naturalness that was much appreciated by all. The enunciation of the actors in the various scenes was quite good and celar. Throughout dancing and ballets' were, of the work done, and they were in every way well conceived and gracefully executed. In the dances for each section and in th 3 ensemble when East and West combined, the effects secured, aided by gooff lighting, were very good and, a credit to at concerned.

A solo dance, in costume, by Kathleen Hickey, was full of gracp and &o well performed that it was- enthusiastically encored. Good as were the tableaux in the first two acts, the final effect set thp seal to the efforts of the danoing girls and to those who had trained them. The colour .scheme was well designed. The producer w-as Mr C. Abbott, who ai'-so played all the> accompaniments and trained the soloists and chorus. He is to bo congratulated on the success secured. Mr Fletcher gave him valuable assistance with the scenery. The designs of the dresses were the work of Mrs N. Davis and the dresses were made by her, Mrs Abbott and the parents of the children. The dancers had been coached by Mrs Edwards (Hawera), and the Irish reel, Yu Pas de quatre, soloi dance and ballets were excellent. Those taking part were as below-:—Nautch Girls: iMolde Wilson. Thelma Berry, Margaret Dick, Gwen Hansen, Rita. Calder, Minnie Davis, Clara Rettery, Gertie Ro’thery, Connie Ansley. Lilly Berry; solo dance, Kathleen Hickey. . Natives: Murray Rowe, Jack Ogle, Brian Scanned, Frank Dick, Pat Mullins, Jim Wilson. Rajah’s native attendants: Cyril Hansen, Jim Davis. Imps of Darkness: Kathleen Brown, M. Cosgrove, Marion Bartow, Basil Brown, Jeffry Hammond. Yvette Berry, Erie Berry, Keith Davis. Spirits of Light: Betty Donald, Beryl Hobday, Margaret Cosgrove, Joyce Hansen, Olive Hickey, Flora. Walker, Annie Dick, Tliora Barlow . The operetta wa.s given a.s the annual effort for ,St. Cuthbert’s Church, a “Joy Season.” The company has .previously given variety and farce, “Balms ii) the Wood’’ .and “Princess in Poppy land.” TO-NIGHT.

The operetta will he repeated this evening, and it is safe to .say there will bo a crowded house.Manaiia .should bo proud to think there is so much talent amongst their young ipaopim and energy and ability to direct that talent.