ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18584, 17 December 1923, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE BEGGAR'S OPERA."

One of the many charms of " The Beggar's Opera," which was presented for ; the first time In Auckland on Saturday night by the v J. 0, Williamson Company, at His Majesty's Theatre, is its most welcome difference from the ordinary tinkling musical play. It is an exquisite comedy, enriched with true English lyrics as fielicious and generous as the wealth of a good-humoured hive in a long summer. The expectant audience was more than ordinarily critical, and appreciation was quietly progressive. This was inevitable in the

circumstances. The play represents the product of an earlier age than ours, and therefore subject to the challenge of searching attention. Thus, the common mood to .; make comparisons fettered desire to appreciate the rare beauty and bright humour of the piece and it was a little while before the fullness of enjoyment was attained. A good play shows its head so rarely on the modern stage, that it runs the risk of losing it to a surprised audience. So with the revised version of Gay satirical production. It may seem incongruous that the outstanding attractiveness of a play that portrays the lives and loves of highwaymen, pickpockets, turnkeys and their women, whoso hazardous existence terminated so often at the Tree of Tyburn amidst a circle of thoughtful acquaintances " where even butchers wept," should be the brightness of true humour and the beauty of true melody. There is a feast of the delightful airs of Merrie England early in the 18th century. In 1728, when " The Beggar's Opera " was first given, it had no fewer than 69 lyrics arranged tunefully for the period by Dr. Pepusch. The revised version retains a very generous measure of the best lyrics, though very many less, of course, than the original total. And what is left, it» may be said in goodwill, might with advantage be reduced a little more in the absence of enough of the right singers for them. The melodies, as re-arranged by Mr. Frederio Austin, do not, however, require any revision. Their tunefulness is a delight. In no sense at all is the play a parade of lawless gallantry, and the pursuitof pleasure in the taverns and lanes of Old London. The Beggar made his opera with his one eye alert to the certain reward of vice and the rumble of the tumbril cn its rough way to Tyburn. Each character postures to the point of exaggerated burlesque of stage conventions, and entertainingly exercises the satire of the piece. The result is an artistic production in which the leading parts are played with fairly consistent ability. It was not to be expected that all the street and tavern talk of London in 1728 would be reproduced for the playgoers of 1923. < The censor has trimmed the former, licence of the dialogue without robbing the play of its original spirit and vivacity. • Here and there only, and very rarely at that, is retained' a phrase that could not be heard to-day, even at the Old Bailey. The theme of the delightful comedy is simple. It begins in the house of : a receiver of stolen goods and ends with the • reprieve of a gorgeous highwayman at the gallows with his six enlightened wives and] many admiring acquaintances gaily stepping in a Maypole dance with the sable executioner. . Peachum, as a receiver of stolen goods for the gang, claims a lawyer's privilege to act against rogues as well as for them. This profitable elasticity of principle prompts him to plan a sordid reparation of . the . social mischief ; wrought in his family by Macheath, the gallant gentleman of the road, in marrying pretty Polly Peachum, whose prospects had been considered parentally to have been rather higher than the gallows tree. The betrayal of the highwayman is an easy problem in thieves' tactics. The process serves to introduce the gang at Newgate Tavern, Lockit, the plastic chief warder at the historic prison, the ladies who had listened too eagerly to Macheath .and, in the end, to the operatic Beggar who agrees to surrender the moral of punishment of vice for the artistic effect of a happy conclusion. All the characters of the play, and also ? the members of the ' competent orchestra, under the sure guidance of Mr. Gustave Slapoffski, i are . costumed • and i bewigged in the etyle of the period. . The effect is charmingly picturesque, , though it is very doubtful if many of the audience would vote for the restoration of the crinoline, the powdered wig, and ; fancy breeches and buckles, or even the gorgeous cavalier cape of - the highwayman. ( The crinoline gown would , certainly reduce \to chaos the recent keep-to-the-left rule in Auckland and Wellington. ' It can be said that the principal parts were well taken. A qualification is, however, essential; the most was not made of the lyrical music. Several of the tuneful .numbers were sung, but indifferently well and the loss. of words; to the audience would have annoyed Gay, The main honours were won pleasantly by Miss Pauline Bindley, as Polly Peaonum, whose singing is of fine quality "as regards sweetness and purity of tone. ;f : She was very dainty and demure—easy prey, for a highwayman—in a crinoline gown ot rose-pink poplin and an alluring soft: mop cap. Her nearest rival was Miss Beryl Walkely as Lucy Lockit, who appeared to advantage in a crinoline gown of honeybrown. The costumes of 'the, seven ladies of the tavern type demonstrated the effectiveness of the ••• combination ;of • colours which d&ighted the Women of the period. Miss Eily Malyon as Mrs. Peachum, is an accomplished artiste, whose weakness in singing was more than! balanced by her efficient skill in characterisation. 'As Captain Macheath, Mr.-Hilton Osborne flayed the part with dash ' and - fine deportment, but his singing - - was sometimes rather florid. Mr. Reginald Roberts, as Peachum, did not ; transgress :: in - exaggerated ' low comedy, and presented the character with a fine spirit. He was well supported by Mr. George Willoughby as v Lcckit; The minor parts were well filled, and the' gang of thieves sang effectively as a double quartet. ■ ; The production 'lay Mr. George A. . Highland, ran smoothly and' the dresses and the. dances were admirable. 'The. work of th a•> orchestra contributed generously to the pleasure : of , the production. y- '■'? The Beggar's Opera . will; be repeated tonight. ' : 'V >v 'A:v£!."•' ~ '. ' • . CAjROL. concert. . . An enjoyable carol cousert.was given in the Town Hair on, Saturday evening by the Municipal Choir, assisted by the city organist, Mr.. Maughan Baroett, and Miss Claries. Bnckman. , "There was a large attendance. The programme consisted emery of sacred music.,, The numbers rendered by ' the Municipal Choir included Mendelssohn's "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing " and " A Child This Dav is Born, " The Bethlehem Shepherds. Hallelujah " (Beethoven), Wilfrid Shaw s An Evening's Pastorale," and Gounods famous nativity hymn " Bethlehem. ( Mr. Maughan Barnett played Bach s Pastorale in F," Guilmant's " Offer on Two Noels," the " Christmas Offertpire - (Lefebure-Wely), and '* Rondmo (Bee,. thoven-Kreisler). A variety of vocal numbers was contributed by Miss Clarice Buckman, among which were Handel s CJome Unto Him " and Allitsen The Lord is my Light." Mr. Edgar Randal acted as choir organist and Mr. Leo Whittaker accompanied the vocal items. / ; • HUMPHREY BISHOP COMPANY. The box plans open to-day ai Lewi: R. Eady and Son, Ltd., for the Hum phrey Bishop Comedy and Operatic Company, who commence their season al the Town Hall Concert Chamber on Wed nesday. They are said to have a rathei remarkable introduction to their show, and the various artists are introduced to the audience in a manner that makes the performance interesting from the first tap of ».he conductor's baton. From all accounts it is a very suitable entertainment for Xmas, being bright, cheerful and thoroughly topical, with the return of " Sunshine James " the living doll to especially amuse the younger set. The full company are due to arrive -by the " Manuka " Co-morrow, and on Wednesday afternoon are holding an At Home at the Town Hall. They are coming direct from a three-years' unbroken run in Australia, where they • have been playing long seasons under the ! direction tof J. C. Williamson and- J. and N. Tail. A special matinee is announced- for; Saturday afternoon.

MISS KAHD OAMPXOK, - The Auckland season of the gifted soprano. J Miss Kate " Campion, will commence in the Town Hall ,on Saturday,'. Be* cember 29. Sine# her departure frtsn Auckland for Paris over j.lO years .':' ago, Miss . Campion i; (bis /appeased r: '•; upon '$ most ». of , the poplar triages *of Europe,% where she has been hailed as the possessor of all the attributes of a great vocalist. Her training' waa received in a ' Parisian . studio under M. Bouhy, and since her debut she has been declared to be his most" talented pupil. In the early part of • her career, Miss Campion appeared in the leading concert halls, and ner immediate success quickly led to her promotion in the field of music, until she attained the zenith of popularity by her introduction to the Covent Garden stage. Miss Campion's status in itihs xnubical. world is indicated by the eminent position held by the artists with whom she has been associated during the last few years. Her tours have been conducted in company with Dame Clara Butt.; Spivakovsky, Melsa and Rosing. The talent and fame of this able vdctuisfc ensure that [ she will be accorded an appreciative hearing during her appearance in this city. Associated with her will be. Signer Constantini, rsoloist of '< the Sistine Choir, Harold Beck, violoncellist of the New South Wales State Orchestra, and Mr. ( Cyril Towsey, pianist. OPERA HOUSE. 1 A _ number ,of new and varied turns 1 are included in the programme to be presented at the Opera House this afternoon and 'evening and during the week. Leo Martin, who has earned a reputation elsewhere as a master of jazz music and syncopation, will make his • first appearance on the Auckland ut&ge. The popular comedian, Fred. Bluett, will present a'number of new selections and Nat Hanley, entertainer at the piano, will introduce fresh items. The contortionist "Pinto" will be seen ,in turns devised to demonstrate his capabilities as .an "Injirubber man," and Mabel and Malfe will appear in a brief sketch. Con Moreni's Miniature Musical Comedy Company will introduce another of their inimitable revue productions, "The Island of Love." TTVOLI THEATRE. V The strong programme now being screened at the Tivoli Theatre is attracting large audiences. One of the leading Paramount film-plays being shown is "Camilla," a very fine version • of the Dumas play, with Rodolph Valentino and Nazimova in the chief roles. Another feature is "The Heart Raider," with Agnes Ayres, Mahlon Hamilton, and a good supporting cast. < \ . NATIONAL THEATRE. The strikingly-lavish and'' well-acted Selznick version of "Rupert of Hentzau," in which Elaine Hammerstein leads a fine cast, is the principal attraction on this week's programme at the. National Theatre. \ The subject of a. queen's romance is one that- makes a strong appeal to picture-goers, and this picture < tells how* Flavia, the beautiful Queen of Ruritania, tires of her husband's treatment, and sends for the Englishman, ; Rudolph RassendylL : Lavishness is ' a feature of the piece, and some spectacular i scenes are the result. The . cast is com-" posed of players with wide reputations, v among .them being Elaine Hsmmerstein. Bert Lytell, Claire Windsor, and Hobart Bos worth. j A vaudeville act, "Magic and Pigeons," 'by Mr. Oswald - Bemand, will be included in the programme as from next Friday. , t j . MR, \; BARRY , CONEY'S ; RECITAL. ' A recital of vocal and pianoforte music was given in the .Town Hall concert chamber, on Saturday evening by Mr. ' Barry Coney and his pupils. There was a large attendance, and an enjoyable, and comprehensive • programme was submitted. ; The • opening item was; the well-known number "Funiculi, Funicula,";: sung by - Mr. Dudley Wrathall and chorus. Mr. Barry Coney and Miss Ivy Musker were heard in an excellent vocal; duet rendering ol Gounod's Parted From Thee." Considerable. talent was displayed jby Mr. Leo Fos- .. ter in a couplet of songs, his £ solo, "A • Memory/' .being V particularly well ' re-, ceived. Miss Vera M'ackav used her pleas- • ing soprano .voice '* to I advantage- in the operatic • aria '' As %' Night, VS. Qalmly and Peacefully," and ; was equally successful with an . encore item. -An able rendering , of . " The " Feast of: Lanterns '".' Was given by:? Miss Hinemoa Speer, and Misses Dorothy Youd and Mavis Patterson . sang 1 the >! arittg,; '' May Laurels ,{ Crown ; Thy Brow " and " Nobil Signors,'' respec- ' tively with good effect. Two popular numbers were Mrs. W. Gatfenby's '.The Nightingale -.and -■ the ; Rose" and Miss •K. Dean's ; " Amber and Amethyst.". = Mr. Robert Simmers' rendering of "0;■ Ta : , Palermo" met * with keen appreciation, and Mr. , Jack ; Gordon gave a sympaiihetie ' rendering of Still as Night." solos r were also, contributed , by Messrs. -. 0. - Re«s, ;J. Petterson, .A. G. McPhafl, H. ;G. Hamer,. ' J. Cameron, J. Dickson, anci W. A Davidson. An ; ; impressive 4 pianoforte - duet, -? ; " Rondo in 0, was presented by Miss i Helen Cave and j Mr. Barry Coney, .and' * another i duet ;item," Sonata in ,D,*% ren- > dered by • Miss |f Eileen , Cullen ftndjMr. Barry Coney, was also handled in capable .p style, which evoked considerable applause, r