J. C. WILLIAMSON'S MUSICAL COMEDY COMPANY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2558, 25 March 1903, Page 57

J. C. WILLIAMSON'S MUSICAL COMEDY COMPANY.

"A CIRCUS GIRL." The Williamson Musical Comedy Company, having returned to Dunedin for a short season, presented " A Circus Girl" at His Majesty's Theatre on Wednesday before a very large audi-« ence. Snatches of this musical comedy have many of them already come along to us, biit last evening's was the first opportunity given, here of witnessing " A Circus Girl- in its entirety. For the presentation of the comedy, last evening nothing but praise can be expressed—it was in almost every respect a aplen- . did production, beautifully and lavishly staged as it was. The reception accorded " A Circua Girl" was also extremely favourable, its prot ' gress being marked wita quite unusual hilarity, tribute to the -undoubted humour of the book. ' " A Circus Girl" will by many be voted even batter than the company's twa" other productions here. Its claims to popularity rest on some bright music, with catchy airs not wanting, a very broad and refreshing humour — there is hardly a dull line to be- seized on,— > and, above all, its presentation by a capable company and its splendid setting — it is a beautifully varied picture of light and colour from start to finish. The dialogue, as stated, is humorous aud often witty with catch phrases' —occasionally it passes rather beyond the pala of refinement. The plot of the comedy is of the very flimsiest kind — hardly even a necessity, in fact. The scene is laid in Paris, and in the first act we are introduced to a scene on the boulevards. Dick Cape!, the hero, perhaps, has been masquerading at a circus as " the Cannon King," who fires a lady from a cannon's mouth; and other such things, and in this capacity, has come across Dora Weymss, a young lady just out of a convent, and they become attached to one another. But Sir Titus Weymsa and his Lady Diana have just come over from. England to meet the young lady, whom they, propose to marry to the Hon. Reggie Gower. This gentleman, however, is quite devoted to La Favorita, queen of Drivelli's Circus, and designs to marry her. Practically there is nothing but the working out of this little tangle, the difficulty and the fun arising out 'of the mistaken identity of Mr Capel, the amorous disposition of Sir Titus, who pursues La Favorita with devoted .attentions to the perturbation of Lady Diana, and to a very largo extent, indeed, to the adventures of one Biggs, a waiter, or bar-tender rather, who has become enamourpd of Lucille, the circus siiiekwire vnLker. Belonging to the troupe is the Terrib'e Turk, otherwise Toothick Pasha, a famous wre-tler, as.d the manager has advertised that the man that throws him in the ring will receive £100. Love inspires the \mny. Biggs to challenge the monster, hi 3 life being only saved in the- end, on the fatal night, by his inducing the giant to drink inordinately o£* J circus-brand champagne, and he ia enabled c a to push him over. Sir Titus is behind 'ho scenes at the circus when his wife arrives. rTa crawls for hiding into the big cannon, and before he knows where he is, is projected through, space, instead of its rightful occupant. A scene before the Commissioner of Police is full of absurdity. As usual, everything is cleared up successfully at one fell swoop. Very Jii^h, honours were scored by Miss Rose Musgrove in. the part of Lucille. All her work was graci^'ul; and full of cleverness, and her singing of the quaint " Coo-ec, ma girlie," a little coon melody, w:is highly acceptable. Most of her Vrork was done in conjunction with Mr Fred. Giv.- n. In the first act the two were rcsponsib :or a very taking duet, and later on their " doll duet" was a feature of the production, V«"ing loudly encoied. Mr Graham's part oi the lugubrious Biggs was intensely hunio-cus and in the best of taste, quite equal to 'iAa almond-eyed Li or Flipper. The various stages! of nervous agitation and horror through which, poor Biggs passes as the approaching combat becomes imminent are fraught with irresistibly funny situations. To Mr C. R. Ba^tocJc was allotted the important role of Sir Titua Weymss, which suited him perfectly, save that a little added refinement would not spoil it. Mr Arthur Crane, whose speaking enunciation is not too clear, did well as Dick Cape', and sang the music of the part well, notably a fine ballad " Oh, how I love thee" and a stirring drinking song that falls to him. Mr E. Mozar took the part of the Hon. Reggie capably, but had no opportunity of displaying vocal ability. Mr Arthur Lissant had a good deal to do as Drivp.li, the bullying circus proprietor, who, with his spouse, Madame DrivelLi (Miss Aggie Kelton), it responsible for a good denl of humour of the accepted domestic and kitchen kind. Mr J. Hughes took ihe part of Albertoni, the ringmaster, and in that capacity gave voice to a couple of good solos. He nossesses an excellent baritone voice, and " Master of the. ring" was a thoroughly enjoyable number. Mr • Fred Leslie, as a circus clown, had some good opportunities to show his clever dancing, and " san? one good solo with very pretty parasol and chorus effect. To Miss Elsie Moore was allotted \he part of the Cirrus Girl, and she sang well and made a pleasing Favorita, generally. " Round the ring I gaily go" and; " Queen of the circus" were both good solos. Miss Lillian Digrges made a piquant Dora Weymss. though the prineinal so]n of the park was omitted. Miss Blanche Wa!l«ce gave a very capable personation of Lady Diana, and Miss Aggie Kelton's bolo '" Not the proper way to trpat a lady" provoked much approval. Mr Lester was the giant Toothick Pasha, and Mr Maurice Dudley's Commissioner of Police wag satisfying, a sort of malefactor's ideal. The remaining parts in the long cast were adequately portrayed. The most beautiful scene of the production is the last, showing on artists' ball, and the ample staj*e room pt Hi? Majesty' 8 enabled full justice to be dor.p to the set. Here is introduced a cliarrcinp ballet, or. as it ia callod. " Fantastioup dcs nierrotu." the motley of the dancers making; a fine blend of colour. The solo in the ballet is taken by Miss Annia Cobb. The chor«<"»s are takon brNklv and with a good pound-volume, and ore of ? bn'«rhf character. All considered, "A Circus Gir*" is n bright and humorous production, and likclj to have ? successful run.

Thorr was a sharp frost on fiundav morn■ng in Christchurch. which did considerable damasr* to the gardens in that city. The champion speeehmake-r, in the suburban councils at anvrare, i« Cr Green, a member of the Xorth-East Valley Borough Council, and if the ability to exprp^s anpmbhatie anr' extended oninion on all and sundry matters that come up for consicWation be a criterion of merit the council in question has iv him an exceedingly valuao!& member. A careful count: of the rounded poeochoe mado by Cr Green on Monday fchowod a grand total of 13, which, added to the expressions of opinion ejiven by him in a less formal manner, will indicate thr* very, prominent part taken by the rouncil'nr in, <mp=tion in the council's monthly delibera* tione.