“THE VAGABOND KING” REIGNS FOR ONE NIGHT

Manawatu Times, Issue 6848, 1 March 1929, Page 7

“THE VAGABOND KING” REIGNS FOR ONE NIGHT

STAGE IMMORTALITY. The verdict of London, New York; and Sydney concerning The Vagabond King, presented for ono performance by the J. C. Williamson Company at the Opera house last night, was unanimously and enthusiastically endorsed by Palmerston —“tho best show in years.” In acknowledging this fact, one Is hard put to it to put forward any particular factor as being responsible. The intriguing plot! Picturesque staging! Glorious music and singing! Picaresque humour? Clever dressing and dancing! All these things, but something else, that spirit of abandon in the songs of Villon himself that was so cleverly interpreted in tho action. Mr. James Liddy, as tho King of the Vagabonds, who is King indeed for a day, made an even greater impression than he did in Tho Student Prince. Miss Strella Wilson, of the golden voiec, as Katherine, to whoso love the vagabond poet aspires, was magnificent and made her singing role one to be remembered. The acting and singing of Mis 3 Mabel Gibson as Huguette was another notable part and tho ever-green Arthur Stigant, with Cecil Kell&way, Arthur Greenaway and the others, made a cast in which there was not a weak member. The whole performance, which, took three and a half hours to present* was a splendid commentary, not ,on)yj on the enterprise Of. the firm but on the very high artistry which it is able to command. The return visit

will be looked forward it mflal v ccessariisafad