ROYAL COMIC OPERA COMPANY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15915, 7 November 1913, Page 3

ROYAL COMIC OPERA COMPANY.

"THE SUNSHINE GIRL.". In cheerful contrast to tho grey and lachrymose conditions outside last evening was tho warmth and colour of " The Sunshine Girl," staged locally for the first timo by the Royal Comic Opera Company. Tiie " girl series " of musical comedies seems to bo almost inexhaustible, and taking ite examples all in all their vogue is destined to bo quite ephemeral. "The l3uns'hine Girl" makes no serious pretensions whatever along light operatic lmcs, and has frankly to be judged more as a musical extravaganza than anything else. Within its limits and its two acts, however, it provides a plenitude of musical numbers and merriment, and is a typo of production generally remarkably popular. Tho humour is frequently very thin, much of it is sheer nonsense relieved with very little wit, and it could scarcely be impeached for- lack, ot breadth. However, the oomedv trips along at a very brisk pace, and in tho first act especially kecpo attention very much on the qui vive. A filament of a story sets matters in motion, though in tho second act this drops almost out of sight till suddenly recollected in the finale. Tho seoond act ambles along less briskly than the first, and in a somewhat aimless manner, and were it shorn of tho low-comedy element there would be little left of it. Too much of the stage comedian is apt to become tedious,, and this effect is admittedly likely to be at times produced by "The Sunshine Girl" in the case of tlie more discriminating. However, the production is not one intrinsically to be criticised teriously, and its merits Irom another standpoint may quito conceivably be those of its deficiencies. The music, while certainly very light, is bright and pretty, and is a meritorious feature of the piece. The stage' frequently presents pioturts of charming animation to the eye, and in colour, costuming, and a general spai'kle—nieretricioiw though it may be—the comedy is calculated to achieve high popularity. This effect was noticeable in the reception accorded it last evening, when, despite the lack of coherence in its general scheme of things, "The Sunshine Girl," by virtue of tho attractiveness of the varied items in its melange, was punctuated With recalls to a much more pronounced extent than its predecessor, "Tho Quaker Girl." The cast is a lengthy one, but the chief prominence is easily the lot of the principal romedian. In the part of one Floot, an excab driver who worms his smiling .way into strange society, Mr Jack Cannot has plenty of time at his disposal on the stsa.g;e, snd achieved undoubted success in amusing his audience. With frequently indifferent material to make oxpital of, a comedian must not bo expected to be always at the top of his form. Mr Cannot's work, it will suffico to eay, frequently revealed much native ability and resource in low comedy, and was of a genial and insinuating humour. Tho duets in which he was associated with Miss Jessie Lonnen were among tho most succcessful items of the production, some clever business and acting being introduced. Miss lyonnen enhanced the favourable opinions earned by her capable stage work, and in a somewhat prominent role sang and danced to much advantage. Her duet with Mr Holland was an admirable number, while tho "Gaby glide," in the music and posturing of wliicli Miss Lonnen gracefully led the dance and chorus, was a highly effective item, and evoked demonstrative applause. Miss Blanchc Browne, as the heroine, and Miss Grace Palotta as Lady Rosabelle, who wears some captivating f roc Its, had not many opportunities, but. , such as these were, made the most of them, the latter being heartily recalled for hoi infectious "Laughing W' Mlffl OIIVO Godwin had no more to do than to sing the ballad "Here's to Love," but in this sh scored a distinct vocal success. Much moie in evidence was Miss My ' low, who appeared m the role o Blacker, cook to Lady Rosabelle and . wife of Floot,, a part brimming over wit : humorous opportunities. Miss Barlow i droll impersonation kept the audience in s simmer of merriment, albeit, occasionally ' marked by resort to superfluous methods for the creation of an extra laugh. Mi Leslie Holland as Lord Bichester, an 1m pecunious peer who masquerades as a_ soaj magnate to plense the real inheritor of tlla distinction, made easy work of a part whicl called merely for light iuid_ amusing treat meni Thoroughly reliable m all his stagi work, Mr Holland's popularity rests on l solid foundation. The duet and scene en titled "In Your Defence, m winch w and Mr Caanot figured as pohcemen m terrogating a belated straggler, was quit* too much for the gravity of the audienc, as well as for that apparently of the p« formers. Mr Edmund Shcrras had merci; to be natural as Vernon Blundcil, the rea but disguised owner of tho Port Sunshin* Scap establishment, but particiiypted m < nrettv sentimental duet with Miss Blanch Browne. Mr 0. R. Bantock made the bes of the comedy opportunities of the role o Commodore Pdrkcr, who has some draerhni passages with Blacker, the cook, and M Arthur Lissant, Mr Edward Nable, ani others filled minor parte quite adequatelj Some choruses which are part of the pre duction go dccidedly well, and very attrac tive stage pictures are the scenes wit which each act opens, the ball-room seen of the second act being in effective cor traet to the depiction in the first of a animated bevy of such factory girls as onl, the stage could produce. The dajicing : igain a good feature of the new comedj md the orchestra, unier Mr Victor Chan [)ion, is well up to its work. "The Sunshine Girl" will be stage igain this evening, and the season will col sludo to-morrow evening with a revival < "The Belle of New York."