“WHITE HORSE INN”

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 44, 21 January 1936, Page 4

“WHITE HORSE INN”

GREAT STAGE SPECTACLE. OPENING OE SEASON. Sheer loveliness of atmosphere, the gay pageantry of Tyrolean costumes, delightful singing and the brilliant .dancing in a marvellous kaleidoscope of colour, melody and rhythmic movement placed the big audience at “White Horse Inn,” which, opened its season in the Opera House last evening under a spell of enthusiasm. Produced by Mr >S. Albert Locke, of London, for Messrs J. C. Williamson, Ltd., this beautiful play is the greatest stags achievement ever brought to New Zealand, and has set such a standard for spectacle that its great reputation has preceded it to every centre.

With a background of blue Bavarian .dries and snow-capped Tyrolean mountains, this wonderful musical comedy completely fascinated the audience last evening, continuing its unprecedented run of successes throughout the Dominion. Piquant colour combinations, exquisite frocking, lovely national costumes and alluring groupings, with lilting music and captivating lyrics, make the play unforgettable.' Colossal is the most apt description which can be given the staging of this panorama of 1 ife at the Tyrolean pleasure resort, which offers placidity for jaded business nerves, but the scenes are pulsing with comedy and romance. Though the show swings along with whirlwind rapidity, the vision of every spectacle lingers ns solo numbers, ensembles, eccentric dances and extraordinary ballets dominate the scenes without disturbing the balance of action. There is a specially organised cast of principals, each with a striking record of successes in the foremost productions' of recent years, and a large orchestra is under Mr Hurry Burton, musical director. Words can convey but a faint conception of the magnificence of the prodviction, the bookings tor which are the heaviest on record at this centre. An outstanding feature is the huge revolving stage, the extended platform and the skilful mechanical adjustment required for this striking play. THE STORY. Brief!v the story of “White Horse Inn” is” that it is the Tyrolean rendezvous of foreign tourists, and the comical complications are produced by the presence there at the same time or some who are commercial rivals, and the effect of these complications upon the widowed landlady of the inn and her head waiter. The scene is set at the landing-stage at which the lake steamer lands its freight of tourists, and the arrival of these, conducted by guides, gives the first introduction to the many whimsical scenes which follow with kaleidoscopic effect. The distant mountains and their many peaks, with the tongue-twisting names, winch provoke not a little of the mirth of the story, the rustic setting ot the mountain cottages anil the inn itself are among the beauties of the picture that is made to delight the eye and please the senses. '

ltomola Hansen, who played tho lead in “AYildHower” and “Kitja alter Marie Burke left for England, had the principal role as Josepha Vogllmber, proprietress of the inn, and led'the way through with consummate ease and artistic achievement, m which she was well supported by Hon Xicol as the head waiter, who played a part of mixed emotions with great skill. Master Grieves as Piccolo, the bov waiter, played a splendid part and supported his chief in a masterly manner, always sensible of the fact that “even a waiter is a man.” Alfred Frith, as John Ebenezer Ginkle, and Miriam Lester as Ottoline, his daughter, the father having a very decided preference for Clacton-on-Sea as his summer holiday resort, afford a considerable amount of entertainment, and in this production Frith is seen at his best as’a great comedian. The arrival of Valentine Sutton the solicitor for (tinkle’s rival mniiu.fneturer.s of underwear which . buttons up back.” complicates the situation, which is unravelled eventually by the romance that springs up between Sutton and Ottoline. As Sutton, Herbert Browne played a great part, and his exquisite singing, both in solo numbers and with Miss Hansen and Miss Lester, was the chief feature of the musical part of the comedy. Two otherleading players were Alban Mack, as

Sigismund, the eon of Ginlde’s rival, and Mario Conan, a charming soubrette, as Crete!, the daughter of Professor Hienzelmann, and these two provided some of tlie most mirth-pro-voking humour of the play. For sheer hidicrousness it would be hard to better Alban Alack in “White Horse Inn,” and his little lisping partner is a splendid foil of his buffoonery. Charles Albert made a splendid professor, and the part of the Austrian Emperor was played with royal dignity by Colin Crane. Daphne Lowe, as Beppi, did some very clever yodelling, while Jeanne Patty, the postmistress, is on a honeymoon trip with Air Frith, to whom she was married just before the company left Alelbourne. Chambermaids, hotel porters, Alpine guides, waitresses, girls and boys make a splendid opening group, which is followed by the effective “Suade Dance” in the woods by the ballet, dancing boys (in gaily embroidered leather apparel “guaranteed to last 25 years”), and pretty dairymaids. Next comes the scone in the cowshed, with “Your Ejes” (composed by Robert Stolz) rendered by the "White Horse Inn Syncopaters. The attractive scene in the garden restaurant completes the first act. Market day outside "White Horse Inn is a colourful opening scene for the second act, after which there are swift changes, coming to a climax with a trip round the lake on the paddle .steamer, showing the Alps, the Forester’s Hut, the Aloiuitain Side and the Village Fair. The scenery throughout is amazing. In the cowshed lifelike animals turned their heads, flicked their eye-lashes, swished their tails and chewed the cud to the music of rhythm and dance in a manner which convulsed the audience. There is a succession of captivating outdoor scenes, summer sunshine, a thunderstorm and lightning, and real lain falls on the holiday-makers. Tame goats, pigeons and fowls are introduced, making a picture never before seen on the local stage. The dancing in Tyrolean costume is superb. AIUSICAL ATTRACTIONS.

Musical numbers abound, opening with the Yoclellers’ Song by Beppi. Josepha and Leopold sing “It Would be Wonderful,” and Josepha and Sutton “The White Horse Inn.” Sutton and Ottoline give the pretty duet

“Your Eyes.” followed by Leopold singing the reprise “It Would be Wonderful.” and then the Ruin Finale. Leopold and the waiters sing the song “The Legionary” in the second act, followed by the charming duet “Salzkaiumergut,” and the song “Sigismund.” After flic appearance hv the bathing chorus Sigisniund and Gretcl sing the duet “Fairies,” and Beppi repeats the Yodelling Song, which is followed by the Alpine song and national dance. The reprise “White Horse Inn” is sung delightfully by Sutton and Josephs, in the third act. followed by the rendition “the I*icicle World,” by Joseplia, one of the concluding musical gems being the Waltz Song. Striking dancing specialities are introduced by Berrigan and Peggy Welch. ' , T Two revolving stages are used by the company in New Zealand, owing to the.dime necessary for preparation in each city. Playgoers were thrilled bv the performance last evening. Amazing energy and wonderful rhythm are shown by the Tyrolese hoys in their dances. They wear black deerskin apparel embroidered and laced at the side with yellow silk. Gay calf socks, embroidered braces and greentrimmed coats, together with green

I % velour hats which have an ornamental) plume of deer hair, complete their accoutrements. Their famous ngn dance” is an unusual featuie. | There was a gala, scene at the con-.| elusion of the performance, wlien streamers were distributed to and these were thrown to the stage,; from which in return came the thin trailers until the front of the auditorium was a network. air fittn thanked the audience tor the reception <rjven the company, and their very evident appreciation of the legitimate stage. The closing scene was one of enthusiasm. . “White Horse Inn” will he played again to-night, with the matinee _ on Wednesday afternoon, and the hnai performance that evening.