MUSICAL COMEDY

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24136, 1 December 1941, Page 9

MUSICAL COMEDY

"THE QUAKER GIRL" SUCCESSFUL, REVIVAL Large and enthusiastic audiences at both matinee and evening performances in His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday greeted the presentation of the favourite old musical comedy, "The Quaker Girl," by the Auckland Light Opera Company, which will have a season of seven nights. Although a new organisation, the company gave a performance -which compared more than favourably with the best that has been achieved by Auckland_ amateura in the musical comedy field for a number of years past. The result reflected great credit on the producer, Miss Daphne Knight, and the musical director, Mr, Frank Poore, to whose initiative the formation of the company has been largely due.' In a large cast the level of acting and singing ability was naturally not very even, but the principals were all happy in their parts and the piece went with a swing from beginning to end. As Prudence, the modest Quaker girl transferred from an English village to the temptations of Paris, Phyllis Raudon was excellently cast. Her acting was always natural and she sang the solos, "The Quaker Girl," "Little Grey Bonnet" and "Tony From America" with very good effect. Irene Giiliug capably played the exiled Bonapartist princess, arid William Michael sang well as her English swain. Berin Spiro, as Prudence's suitor from America, gave an energetic perfor mance which suggested that with more experience he should become a good light comedian. In the part of the scapegrace Quaker youth Jeremiah. Peter Colvin drew many laughs, and Pat Boyle, the company's soubrette, ably seconded him. Stewart Harvey used his voice effectively as Prince Carlo, Victor and Mavis McCulloch did well in character roles and good incidental dances were providod by Margaret Scrimshaw and Iris Peterson. A well-trained chorus more than 50 strong and an able orchestra contributed much to the success of the performance, as did good costumes and scenery.