MUSICAL COMEDY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22908, 16 June 1936, Page 2

MUSICAL COMEDY

OPERATIC SOCIETY'S NEW ATTRACTION

" The Maid of the Mountains," to be presented by the Dunedin Operatic Society during Show Week, is probably one of the best known 6f musical comedies, and when it was presented at Daly's Theatre, London, it ran for a season of close on 2000 performances, rivalling Oscar Asche's other great production "Chu Chin Chow." One can readily recall the demands of the public for a longer season when the bright comedy was staged in Dunedin a few j cars ago by Messrs J. C. Williamson, Ltd., starring Miss Gladys Moncreiff in the role of Teresa.

Taken from the book by Frederick Lonsdale and set to music by Harold Fraser-Simson, with lyrics by Harry Graham, the " Maid of the Mountains " is rich In comedy and abounds with delightful musical numbers. The charming songs "Love Will Find a Way," "My Life Is Love," "A Bachelor Gay," and " A Paradise for Two," are numbers that are not easily forgotten. The play, which is in three acts, moves at a fast speed through episodes of romance, intrigue and forgiveness, and the authors have happily succeeded where others have failed in sustaining interest in their characters until the final curtain falls. Miss Freda Elmes has been cast in the leading role of Teresa, and her delightful voice is more than capable of the exacting work the vocal score demands of her. Miss Elmes's main solos of the evening will be "Love Will Find a Way," and "My Life Is Love." Mr Arthur Lungley, as Beppo, has the chief singing part in the male cast. His chief solo will be the ever popular "A Bachelor Gay," and with Miss Elmes will be heard in the duet "A Paradise for Two." Mr Reynolds Herbert, Always a reliable man in character work, will play a role that is new to him. Mr Herbert haß the exacting part of Baldasarre, chief of the gang of bandits with whom Teresa lives. Miss Gwenda Burt, already a firm favourite with theatregoers, is cast as Vittoria. Miss Burt's undoubted flair for comedy is given full scope in this role, and, playing opposite Mr R. Wilson Brown, should ,keep the comedy moving briskly. Mr R. Wilson Brown, as Tonio, makes a welcome reappearance after an absence of many years, and with Miss Burt has the duets " Husbands and Wives " and " Over Here, Over There." Major Lampcn, too, again comes to the fore in this production in the role of the Governor of Santo. Major Lampen's work is always refreshing and he has two duets, one with Miss Elmes in " When You're in Love," and with Mr Wilson Brown in" Dirty Work."

Others who assist in the cast are Mark Gaston, Alex M'Dowell, Jack Johnson. Mason Harrould, E. Murphy, E. W. Griffiths and Miss Mollia Francis.

The play is being produced by Major Lampen, with Mr James Dixon as musical director and Miss Constance Potts as ballet mistress. Mr Angus Gorrie is again acting as stage manager. The season, which is for one week, with matinees on Saturday and Tuesday next, and June 27, opens next Saturday. Box plans are now open at Begg'e.