MUSICAL ROMANCE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 257, 27 September 1935, Page 15

MUSICAL ROMANCE

“SALLY” DELIGHTS AUDIENCE

Another large audience was delighted by the musical comedy “Sally” at its third night presentation in the Opera House last evening. The talented cast assembled by the Palmerston North Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society. did full justice to the music, dancing and humour which constitute the richness of _ the play, and their work is more satisfying at each appearance. The splendid numbers such as “The SchnitzaKomisski,” and “Wild Rose” won much appreciation. Reports concerning the high standard attained by the play have gone into extensive circulation, and the universal praise bestowed has led to anticipations of big houses for the two concluding nights. Last evening constituted a thirdnight record for public patronage. The unprecedented success achieved by. the production must be very gratifying to the producer, Mr Harrison Cook, of Wellington, and his associate, Mr F. Cousins, two gentlemen who possess just the right personality to encourage the stage team to put into the production the vigour and finish which the present cast have done. It is an ambitious production, calling, in some respects,, for a different technique from that of the ordinary play, because of its difficulties. The chorus do splendid work in the Russian peasant scene, which presents a hard piece of concerted singing for amateur players. The ballet, one of the smartest which has yet graced the society’s productions, have been made the subject of the most laudatory comment for their precision and symmetry of movement. No dancers in any of the society’s plays have been better trained than Save the present ballet under Mieses Kathleen Boyle and Cressell Vaughan. The talent which is to be found in Palmerston North for musical comedy work is revealed in “Sally,” which is without the slightest blemish or weakness. Three comedians appear in the production and it appears that in having available the services of Mr J. D. Mcßrearty, a clever dancer and equally capable actor, the society have made their best acquisition of recent years. He is destined to go a long way on the basis of the present standard he has set. His role as the waiter Duke of Czechogovinia is the most strenuous of the play, but never once does he fail to extract the utmost in humour and divertissement from it.

Well-known as a clever and versatile performer, as well as the possessor of a happv personality, Mrs W. Whitehouse (Miss Edna Boon) is extremely pleasing and charming in the title role, and the choice for “Sally” could not have fallen upon more capable shoulders. She gives her best performance to date. “Sally” is the society’s answer to the type of production sought by the public. There are five scenes in three acts, to each of which there is not only a brilliant but picturesque final. Behind the stage there is just as much animation as before the footlights. Mr V. G. Clift (the secretary) gives excellent service, while Mr E. G.

Seeker, as wardrobe master, has to do some quick work for the male principals. The artistic services of Mr D. Gilmour, wfro has had considerable theatrical experience, have been enlisted for making up the men in the cast, while Mesdames M. Palmer, Hunt, Webster, Hancock, Penman and E. Pink have to do some smart work among the ladies with make-up. Mr C. McGrath is the property manager and Mr A. J. Jamieson makos the calls. The work of the orchestra under the baton of Mr A. J. Graham cannot be too highly praised. Encouraged by the magnificent public responso which has been evident in the record ’audiences attracted by “Sally.” the performers are keyed up to a pi£cTi of. enthusiasm, and the final two nights (to-night and. to-morrow) should be even more dashing and scintillating than the first ones. The production is going from success to success, having captured the imagination of local playgoers with its charm and appeal.