“OUR MISS GIBBS”

New Zealand Times, Volume XLI, Issue 9257, 26 January 1916, Page 6

“OUR MISS GIBBS”

A REFRESHING REVIVAL WITH A PARTICULARLY STRONG CAST. Among the light musical comedies which have been presented to the New Zealand public in recent years tew have taken a more prominent place in popular estimation than “Our Miss Gibbs.” When first presented here two or three years ago it immediately took the public fancy and as performed by th« J. C. Williamson Company at the Grand Opera House last evening it achieved an even more marked success. This was on account of the remarkable strength of the cast. It has the pliable plot of the average pantomime, allowing of any amount of fun and frolic in association with its tuneful music. Whilst the libretto provides a sufficiently interesting story not devoid of incident of a curious type, and supplying a sura foundation for an evening’s breezy entertainment, it makes no demand on the attention of the audience on the serious side, and the lyrics are easily flowing, bright, melodious, and of the catchy character which are dearly beloved by the multitude. The stage settings, costumes, and colour schemes, are dazzling in their brilliancy, and throughout attractive individual performances are succeeded by bright ensembles. Last night the house was continually rippling with merriment, and at each fall of the curtain the warmest plaudits were bestowed.

Miss Minnie Love was peculiarly well suited to the part t»f Mary Gibbs, into which she infused new aspects of characterisation. Always suave and piquant, she established herself firmly in the favour of the audience, and her graceful vocalisation was much admired. In the songs “Mary,” and “In. Yorkshire” she was heard to particular advantage, while in the duets “Our Farm” and “Country Cousins” with Mr Phil Smith immense amusement was created. Mr Smith’s role was that of the Yorkshire dumpling who does the sights of Londoil in roaring rustic style, getting inextricably mixed up With a light-fingered “gent,” and he certainly made the fun fast and furious. Miss Florence Young was also a great success as the extravagant Mrs Farquhar, to whom impecuniosity provides no drawbacks. She entered into the character with a dash and aplomb which showed that as she grows older she adds to her versatility. As the Scottish-French modiste Miss Addie Lqnnard exhibited useful capacity. Miss Maggie Moore made a suitable Duchess of Minster, and on making her first entry had a’warm reception. In the character of Lady Elizabeth Thanet, Miss Ethel Cadman shone in the vocal line with her renderings of ‘ ‘The Dancing Lesson” and “The Arms and the Man.” Mr Leslie Holland was the Hon. Hugh Pirrepoint, the clumsy amateur “crook,” and gave a very laughable presentation. This gentleman hfis a very delicate sense of the ridiculous. Mr Derek Hudson figured not as Lord 1/ynsford, the lover of Mary; while Slithers, the professional “crook,” was in th* capable hands of Mr Reginald Roberts Mr C. B. Bantock took his old part, the Earl of St. Ives, and Mr Charles Albert made a typical “shopwalker.” Many small characters were well filled, and there was bright singing and adroit posing on the part of *he chorus.

Two more representations will be given of the same piece, and on. Friday next “Paul Jones” will be revived with Miss Florence Young in the leading part. For Saturday and Monday “The Quaker Girl” is announced.