“THE STUDENT PRINCE.”

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 20 June 1928, Page 2

“THE STUDENT PRINCE.”

J.O.W. COMIC OPERA COMPANY. CHEAT SINGING AND SPLENDID COLOURING. “O'n© of the very .best tilings oi : its kind even seen in Haw era," was tne verdict or tiie targe audience wliied witnessed the production of “the iStudeut Prince,” toy tne J. C. W illiamson Uonuc Opera Company at the Opera House last night, and tne reasons for tne pleased approval were not far to seen. The story, the humour, .the colour and above all the singing of ttoe male voices lifted tne American musical versions ol the old-time play ‘‘Old Heidelberg" right above etny Of the musical offerings of J.C.W. for many a long day. It success was instantaneous and all the more praiseworthy in that it was earned toy sheer merit alone. There had been no preliminary ‘‘boosting" of the music of the piece per medium of the gramophone or any other extraneous aid, tout it had not been in progress more than a feiw minutes when it was made apparent that here was something in tne way of entertainment which was indeed good. By reason of her Continental reputation, Miss Beppie De Vries was accorded a warm welcome on her first entrance, and her singing, dramatic work and appealing* personality were such that ,at the tonal curtain, she Was an established favourite. Oast in the role of Ivatlme, the dainty waitress of the inn of the Three Golden Apples, Miss Bo Vries is first a light-hearted flirt, the idol of the. university students ol Heidelberg, next the .sweetheart ol the Prince, and at the end, a broken-lie a rted yet high-principled woman, [reconciled t Q the inevitable, relinquishing her lover, now .the King, in favour of a lady of the blood royal. In all her changing moods Apsis. De Vries was wonderfully appealing anti her rich soprano voice oliarmed everyone, particularly in the recurring song ‘‘Deep in My Heart ’ and “Hail, Youth and Love.” Her acting throughout reached a high (standard. In Air James Biddy the company has a male principal who is ideally suited to the role of the royal student and lower. The highest honours for vocal work must foe given to. him:. He is possessed of a voice of great range and resonance, and in soaring to its highest note it loses nothing of its richness of quality. His acting of the princely role was convincing throughout the piece, which was dominated toy his personality and his singing. Throughout a performance occupying over three hours he was seldom absent from the stage.

The other honours of the performance fell to the male chorus of more than twenty voices. Alii through they provided a background of harmony which, iri the proper places, rase to ringing, stirring choruses. The ladies of the chorus were quite overshadowed in the vocal items, but they, lent delightful colouring to the scenes attired in pretty peasant costumes, and later in most gorgeous ballroom crinolines. The opening of the ballroom scene in the palace evoked noticeable murmurs of appreciation, from .the audience. An old friend of maty a pantomime and musical comedy is in the past in the pea-son of Air Arthur Stigant. As the Plrinoe’isi personal! attendant he burlesqued the Vanities of the super-lackey in the genuine Stigant manner —and that is always funny. From a programme cluttered witb names it is no simple matter to select for mention the next most outstanding figure. ALiss Adele Crane, as Princess Margaret, chosen to be the bride of the King, has a sweet personality and her voice ig full of charm. With Air Frank Webster, wfooi has a small part, she sang “Just Wo Two," one of the best songs of a memorable night. Air Webster’s rich tenor delighted everyone. Aliss Vera Spaull, a pert and pretty serving maid, has a small singin.cr part, which she fills creditably, and Miss Aliillie Eingler, as the duchess, provides much merriment in her hysterical moments, when lackeys run with gilded chairs to support her collapsing bulk. Even the flunkeys can sing very acceptably in this costly production, so that Air Hedley Hall and Mr H. Browne can be given only brief mention, lne first-named plays dear old Dr. Engel, indulgent guardian of the young I nn.ee, with whom he sings “Guidon Dtays, later singing it as a solo with great success. Mr Browne, as one of the beerdrinking students, leads .the big male chorus in numerous rollicking so>rgs, which are as rousing as they arc harmonious. “The Student Prince proved to be one of the most elaborately cos-1 turned and superbly mounted productions that has been presented m New Zealand in recent years, and local patrons will regret that no opportunity occurs here for witnessing the company in its other piece ‘Aladame Pompadour.”