“THE BLUE BIRD.”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19010, 5 November 1923, Page 3

“THE BLUE BIRD.”

PROD COED BY OOLUMBA COLLEGE. As a conclusion and climax to (he Children's Exhibition which had such a success in the Brydono Hall all lasi week Maurice Maeterlinck's delightful fairy play. " The Bine Bird,” was produced in llis Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday evening. The event drew an expectant audience that, crowded every part of the theatre till there w r as not a vacant seat in the building. The production was clone almost entirely by the girls of Columba College, under the skilled direction of Miss Freda S. Warner. The only scones omitted from the play w'ere the forest scene in. Act TIT and two scenes from Act mV. Maeterlinck’s familiar and beautiful play records how Tyltyl and Myl.vl, the woodcutter's little hoy and girl, are sent out by a fairy in quest of ‘‘the Blue Bird—that is to say, the great secret of things and of happiness.” Among their notable companions on (lie eventful journey are Tylo, (ho dog, and Tylette, the cat, and impersonations of Light, Bread, Fire, Water, Sugar, ATilk. and Night. Their visits to the Lftui of Memory, where- they awaken the sleeping Gaffer and Granny Tyl to tlio Palace of Night, where ghosts, shades, terrors, and sicknesses are kept, and to the Palace of Happiness, where dwell the joys and happinesses big and little, demand a wealth of charming- and artistic dresses and settings, and the demand was most effectively met. The costumes wore exceedingly pretty and becoming, and (he happy, healthy young performers made manv a dainty picture on the stage. Jim very important parts of Tyltyl (Miss Katherine Begg) and Mytyl (Aliss Peggy Allan) were J’,lied by two clever little juveniles, whose dear speech, faultless memories, and engaging naturalness in acting wont far to ensure the success of the whole performance. Miss Begg had (ho heavier part of tho two, and showed real natural altitude of a high order for the w'ork. In (he prominent part of Tylo, the dog. Miss Enid Patrick delighted everyone with her vigour and the fresh humour she put into her work. Miss Fay Alexander made a dignified and beautiful “Light.” ’the parts of Maternal Love and Mummy Tyl were presented with insight and sympathy by Miss Warner, and Mr Stephen Waymouth gave very satisfactory renderings of the parts of Gauer Tyl and Daddy 1 yl. ills make-ups were particularly good. Miss Dutton gave the girls valuable assistance in taking the part of Granny Tyl. Other parts filled with satisfaction to the audience and credit to the performers were those of Tylette (Miss Maureen M’Leod), Fairy and Neighbour (Miss Marga Begg), Bread (Miss Alice Johnston). Fire, (Miss Isabel Kirkland), Water (Miss Eva Payne), Sugar (Miss Jean Begg), Milk (Miss Winnie Dickinson), and Night (Miss Frances Meadowcroft). Among the numerous others not named on the programme who made their helpful contributions tp the unfolding of the beauties and truths in which the play abounds the most conspicuously success was “The Happiness,” who introduces herself and all the other happinesses to tho wondering little boy and girl. This girl iiossesses a beautifully clear voice, and carried through her part with the sureness of a veteran. A scene that delighted the audience perhaps more than anything else in the production was .the most gracefully and charmingly executed dance of the perfumes, will-o’-the-wisps, fireflies, dew, and others. They were compelled to come back and repeat it. Tho incidental music supplied by an orchestra under Mr J. A. Wallace was of a most choice and appropriate character, and when necessary they always succeeded in doing what so few orchestras can accomplish, playing so softly as not in the least to drown the voices of the children on the stage. Tho entertainment, which went without a hitch, concluded at 10 o’clock, and the perfect smoothness with which it was carried through .was largely due to the work of Mr W. R. Sinclair as stage manager. In acknowledging assistance reference must also be made to the great help given in the production by Miss Ross, lady principal of Columba College, and several of her staff. At the close of a most enjoyable performance 'which reflected the highest credit on all concerned, the audience remained for a long time to honour and applaud a tableau of all the performers, and made a further enthusiastic demonstration when Miss Warner and Miss Dutton wore presented with two most beautiful bouquets. Tho two little girls who acquitted' themselves so creditably in the leading parts received boxes of sweets.