"WHITE HORSE INN"

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22824, 7 March 1936, Page 8

"WHITE HORSE INN"

THE REVOLVING STAGE Applications for preferential booking will close at the D.I.C. to-d&y at noon for next Saturday's gala opening performance of J. C. Williamson, Ltd.'s stupendous .London Coliseum Theatre musical play "White Horse Inn," and also for the Subsequent performances of this successful production. The ordinary box plans will h%- opened at the D.I.C. on Tuesday morning, next at-9 o'clock, when there is likely to be a record demand for seats. One of the main features of " White Horse Inn " is the huge revolving stage, entirely new to New Zealand audiences, and weighing 10 tons, which enables setting to follow setting with smoothness and precision, and so present a sequence of everchanging and wonderful scenes in a constant blaze of colour. Two of these stages had to be constructed for the New Zealand tour, so that while one ia being used the other is sent on to the next town in charge of a staff of mechanics and electricians. Critics everywhere have been lavish in their praise of "White Horse Inn"—of the dressing, scenery, ballets, and of the entrancing music. Mechanical aids are brought:to their highest pitch of . perfection in bringing realism to the stage. Among the settings is the storm scene, in which the play of the lightning, the roll of thunder and a downpour of rain are simulated with "startling realism./ Another setting is the bathing girl scene, in which a bevy of bathing beauties imitate the undulating action of the waves. Not the least of the beauties of the production is the excellence of its music, and the haunting melodies are done full justice by the principal artists and the full operatic chorus and orchestra. Among the outstanding pieces are "Lend Me a Dream," "In This Fickle World," "The White Horse Inn," "The Waltz Song," "It Would Be Wonderful," and the inspiring number "Good-Bye." Another feature of " White Horse Inn " is its clever and genuinely humorous comedy. . Still another feature is the introduction of a team of Marquartsteiner Tyrolese dancers. "White Horse, Inn" gather* in speed from the very rise of the curtain, and the medley of alpine guides, chambermaids, tourists and children grows fuller and fuller as this mammoth production progresses until it reaches a tremendous climax with the stage revolving. One of the best scenes in the play is said to be the arrival of the aged Emperor, Francis Josef, on a steamboat, and the welcome accorded him by the village people and the rural band. The artists who appear in " White Horse Inn" were specially selected for, their various roles, with the result that every one of them fits exactly into the atmosphere of the 15 scenes. Romola Hansen has achieved one of her greatest triumphs in the role of Josephs, and Herbert Browne's tenor voice is heard to advantage in the musical numbers allocated to the role of the solicitor. Messrs Alfred Frith and Don Nicol, two outstanding artists, are said to be highly humorous throughout the production, and Marie Conan, a new arrival from London, and Alban Mack are two excellent artists and dancers. Other principals are Miriam Lester, Colin Crane, Charles Albert, Jeanne Battye, Peter Gordon, Daphne Lowe and Master Greaves. Altogether there are over 150 people concerned in the production of " White Horse Inn," including atalented ■Australian ballet.