REGENT THEATRE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19121, 16 September 1936, Page 3

REGENT THEATRE

NOTABLE PRODUCTION

“Whom the Cods Love.'; now at the .Regent Theatre is olie of the most notable productions of the year. It is the story of Mozart, and so discerningly has it been produced and acted that it is more than possible that what has been portrayed will be spoken of as the picture Mozatl and not as the performances of the several actors and actresses, 'ihis is a compliment to, rather than a reflection on the players. It seems that all the members of the east, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, have subordinated their personalities to the greater personality they have to draw. Prom their efforts Mozart emerges in all his greatness and his. weakness. Ihe portrait is compact, no one _ feature ot his life or his personality being emphasised at the expense of another—except his genius. The influence oi his who is also clearly shown, an inclusion for which the authoress of the story upon which the picture has been based, Margaret Kennedy, deserves considerable praise. From a purely technical point of view, his wife’s part in Mozart's life gives the iilm human interest; from the historical aspect it gives an additional authenticity which is sometimes apt to bo ignored. If nothing more is wanted of tlie film than entertainment and musical pleasure, “Whom the _ Gods Love” can still serve most admirably. The story is. enthralling, the costuming and photography magnificent, and the music is sheer delight. “Don Giovanni, “The Marriage of Figaro” and “HuMagic Flute” are all heard in part, Sir Thomas Beecham and the London Philharmonic Orchestra achieving a triumph. To Stephen Haggard, as the composer, and Victoria Iloppcr, as his wife, must, go the greatest honours, however.