“THE VAGABOND KING”

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 78, 1 March 1929, Page 3

“THE VAGABOND KING”

MELODY AND ROMANCE. MAGNIFICENT PRODUCTION. In the reign of Louis XI. of Franco there lived a. cut-throat, poet, vagabond, who was King for a day. Ho swaggered -from a drunkon den through the court of a decrepit- ruler to the gallows—or nearly—deeming the world well lost for the love of a woman. What a figuro for a musical romance—Francois Villon, a personality of historical interest! Clothing the themo was the most delightful, most brilliant musical play that has ever visited Palmerston North, and a crowded auditorium last overling succumbed to the spell' of melody and romanco and trappings of a period long forgotten. For it is not romanco and love spineless, with carpeted knights—it is of the mob unruly, unwashed, but willing to bo led in the ardour of tho impassioned moment. So that wo havo a musical production vigorous, of colour and movement, delightful to the eye and to tho ear, and with settings and frocking imbued vvith tho spirit, of tho romantic, hard-living period. And tho music. Haunting one long after tho memory of tho magnificentlyattired ladies and courtiers of Louis’ regime have been forgotten, it runs through tho brain with a mixture of riotousness, sentimentality and tramping feet and men at arms, and all written by Rudolph Friml, a Slav composer supremo in tho realm of musical plays. (It is strange, in a way, to think that ho wrote “You’ro In Love,” “The Firefly” and “High ■Jinks,” light, tuneful morsels.) There is no weakness in “The Vagabond King,” except that tho humour is as old as tho Louts period, but probably this is an intentional aid to historical accuracy. Nevertheless, genuine humour goes to the wall in tho joy of watching and hearing a production that is well above par. As to tho principals, there were Miss Strella Wilson, magnificent soprano, and delightful actress, supremo as Katherine; and Mr James Liddy, whose fine singing voice has improved immensely, as Francois Villon, swaggering to his heart’s content as the vagabond king. There were Mr Arthur Stigant in a part that ho has built up mainly on his own efforts; Hr Cecil Kelle-v-ay in a role in which he is wasted; Miss Eileen Ogden, splendid as Margot, an innkeeper; Mr Arthur Greenaway as the decrepit Louis and Miss Rene Linton, who made a success of Huguette, the part played in Sydney by Miss Mabel Gibson. There was a wonderful chorus, outrivalling “The Student Prince,” and the ballet, with Misses Sybil Affording, Drummond and Leach, was outstanding for its grace of movement and charm amid tho rabble of ancient Paris. The ballets wore an outstanding feature.

It may interest many theatregoers to know that “If I were King,” Mr Justin McCarthy’s drama, on which “The Vagabond King” was founded, was played in Palmerston North close on 40 years ago — at the old Theatre Royal in the Square. It was a very fine company. The late Mr Cuyler Hastings, celebrated in his day, was Francois Villon, and the late Miss Mabel Lane was Huguetto, the part taken last night by the clever Miss Reno Linton.