AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14472, 15 March 1909, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S THKATKE. " THE PRINCE OF I'ILSEX." Produced for (lie fnvt time in Dunedin at His Majesty's Theatre ou Saturday evening by rho J. C. Williamson Musical Comedy Company, "The Prince of Pilsen" created an excellent impression. It may not. be altogether to the advantage of a musical comedy nowadays to possess merits tliat might be described as of tlm more solid kind, though that rests with the popular tasto ami its variations. It is not implied, however, that- there is anything particularly .solid about "The Prince oi Pilsen"—merely that with an airy irresponsibility and lightness that would rival that of any musical comedy it combines cleverness of construction and sonic very agreeable music. Musically, "The Prince of Pilsen" is undoubtedly superior to its predecessor, -"The Red Mill," and it is a better balanced,' While equally amusing, production. the scene is laid at Nice, whero an international hotel provides, as might bo expected, a splendid meeting place for various strange and extravagant characters. 'I ho story, lor there is the beginning of one, turns upon the playwright's unrivalled friend and staudby—the'confusion of identities. The mistake arises out of the fact that Ilans Wagner, a Cincinatti brewer, arrives at the hotel with his pretty daughter half an hour before the Prince'of Pilsen, who is expected, and is mistaken for him. Hans Wagner accepts his sudden exaltation to greatness in a complacent spirit, and consents to make the best of the 12 rooms only which can be spared him. On the arrival of the real Prince there is trouble momentarily, but the latt-or, haviug fallen under the spell of the brewer's daughter, contrives that the impersonation shall proceed, which i£v docs with remarkable results. The sham prince discovers undismayed that he is in great demand among the ladies, and his gallantries are by no means wasted on a designing widow from New York. Other trilling ulfairs of eentiment and humour give the story the semblance of substanc« which is all it needs, "The Prince of Piltjen" gives the members ofi the company its a whole better opportunities than did the opening production. The greatest opjwrtunities axe given to Mx Charles Loder, who appears as Hans Wagner.,, Mr Lcder's comedy in "The lied Mill" was to good that it was no surprise to find expectation of his excellence in " The Prince of Pilsen" amply realised. A 6 a comedian ho revels in tlx> Dutch type of humour, always popular if well done, and is a past-master it; its possibilities. lio kept the audience in a simmer of amusement throughout the whole of Saturday evening's performance, and never lost a point- in the delivery of the numerous witticisms which are part of the genial brewer's stook-in-trade. Specially convulsed was the audienco at one of the masquerading Prince's pranks—namely, that which leads him, io all intents on a bathing expedition, into the stage fountain for which lie evinces an affection that i* proof against even the widow's tearful entreaties to come out. In a humorous song and dance in the second act the comedian also scored heavily. The part of the real Prince of Pilsen was capitally taken by Mr Edmund Sherras, who made good use' of a pleasing baritone voice in one or two really good numbers. He gave well tlie solo to "Heidelburg," which provided in an unaccompanied double male quartet one of the most, taking musical items in the piece, and in "Sinoko pictures" lie had another good number with effective chorus. Mr Harold l'arkes appeared ill the role of a dandified and inconsequent scion of tie British aristocrat), and gave an amusing study of IJie part, figuring conspicuously in a concerted number, "Walk Mr, walk," which took well. Mr l'ord, whose appearance is already greeted always by the audience with the tribute of a smile, appeared as an hotel " boy," a part in which he had largely to make his own opportunities. He was eminently successful in ajuusing, however, his grotesquely clever dancing being a feature of his performance, and the audience enjoyed the contrasts of methods as practised by comedians atiordod by him and Mr Ijoder respectively. Mr Leslie, as Francois the Concierge, also materially contributed to the entertainment of those present, his representation of the excitable Frenchman undergoing a spasm at the mere mention of the name of the great Napoleon provoking shrieks of laughter. As Mrs Crocker, the dashing widow of the piece, Miss Olive Godwin acted with piecing animation, and her voices was heard to advantage in the taking song and chorus entitled " Tale of the cities." In this number novel and very charming effects are introduced in which lady members of the company appear in tablet*.. Miss Aiice Mitchell was dainty in the small pari: of ;:i American girl student abroad, Miss Ivy Scott made the most of the part of a Fieuch lady's maid, giving the luwujw,

" Hedlime at the zoo." with good effect and Miss Marie Eaton, as Nellie Wagner, Ii 11• daughter of the prince from C'incinatti, proved quite eipial to the limited requirements of the role. In "Castle of dreams," composed, as were one or two others of Iho numbers sling, by Mr Alfred Moulton, the company's (imdcal director, Miss Eaion had a taking solo iu which she displayed possession of a voice of excellent range, though she has a tendency to force its production. Mr It. Hogue appeared in the small part of an American naval officer. Musically considered, "The Prince of Pil'.."ii" is not leasl enjoyable for the opportunities il gi''es the members of the chorus. The finale to the first- act is especially elfecive in this connection, wliile the hunting chorus with which the second act opens is musically good, and is the accompaniment, of a charming stage picture. A solo dance in the second act merits mention as cleverly performed by Miss Mollie Wilson. The comedy is lavishly staged, and its reception by a large audience on Saturday evening augurs well lor the powers of attraction which its subsequent productions should exercise. "The Prince of Pilson" will be staged again this evening. PRINCESS THEATRE. The usual matinee performance was given in Ihe Princess Theatre on Saturday and in iho evening the current programme of pictures iv,ts again displayed to a vory large and appreciative audience. Among the principal attractions this week are a splendid series illustrating the various stages in the mannfaciun? of a steel rail, pictures showing the methods of educating blind children, a sensational illustration of Major Richardson's bloodhounds at work, and a lilin called "Frolics on Coney Island," which ranks among the most amusing pictures the management has yet presented,. The present series has three more nights to run before the weekly change of programme lakes place. KAIKOIIAI BAND. There was a vory large attendance at the Gardens yesterday afternoon, when the Kaikorai Band played an enjoyable programme. The selection " Verdi " (Round) was perhaps the best effort, but the sacred music: was, as usual, greatly appreciated. Other notable items were:—Marches, "Rrigadier" ati-.l "Cornelius"; and an excellent sacred piccc entitled " Adoration.''' THE CIIERNIAVSKI'S On Saturday evening the final concert by the. Cherniavskis was given in the Burns Il:tll, when a most interested and appreciative audience attended. The opening item was a trio by Haydn for violin, 'cello, and piano, and the lxiys gave a skilful rendering of the music. In solo items Mischel ('cello) hold tho audience enraptured by his masterly playing, while the rendering of Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody by .Jan on the piano was deservedly encored. Leo's violin solos, Chopin's " Nocturne " and Wioniawsky s Souvenir do Moscow," were exceptionally delightful items, and encorcs were demanded. For the finale the trio played "Serenade" (W'idor) and "Moment musical (.Schubert), and at the conclusion was enthusiastically aimlaudcd. Included 111 the programme were vocal items bv Madame- Marie Ilooton and Mr Perciva'l Driver, which materially added to the enjoyment of the concert. The Cherniavskis leave for Australia to-day.