AMATEUR OPERA

Southland Times, Issue 20903, 12 October 1929, Page 8

AMATEUR OPERA

“THE DUCHESS OF DANTZIC.” It has been said that the most difficult of the musical comedies is “The Duchess of Dantzic,” and so the presentation of thispiece by the Invercargill Amateur Operatic Society this year must be taken as the organization’s most ambitious effort so far. Upon the preparation of this production the societv has spent a lot of time and a great deal of care, and every effort has been made to giving it a mounting in keeping with the character of the play. On this score it is the most expensive production the society has attempted. The preceding productions have shown the public of Southland that the society can be depended on to give a bright entertainment, and there are solid grounds for anticipating that “The Duchess of Dantzic” will reach; if it will not surpass, the high standard already set by such performances as “Florodora,” “The Belle of New York” and, in the dramatic field, “Seven Keys to Baldpate.” This musical comedy begins in the revolutionary days in Paris, the opening scene being laid in the laundry of Catherine Upscher, known as Sans Gene, and then it moves in the second act to the Napoleonic Empire, first in the gardens of Fontainbleau and then in the Tuilleries, so that it changes in character, the first act having all the briskness and excitement of the revolutionary period, while the second and third acts are marked by calm and grace. In the second and third acts the old, graceful dances appear, the gavotte and the minuet. The comedy throughout is in keeping with the scenes and the music also fits the setting. The story turns about the love of Catherine Upscher (Sans Gene) and her soldier husband, Lefevre who rises from sergeant to the rank of Marshal of France. To suit his own ends Napoleon seeks to separate them, and the play tells how the sturdy Catherine meets the emperor’s scheme and wins. The fact that Napoleon is on the stage gives novelty to this musical comedy, which has always been very successful. A feature of the Invercargill Operatic Society’s productions is the photographs display it makes to give the public some idea of the play they are to see. A very fine array of photographic studies in colour has been made in the Bristol, where the box plan is to be opened next week. In the case of the previous productions there has been a very heavy run for seats and though the season is for five nights there have been many people disappointed because they have not been able to obtain seats. It is anticipated, therefore, that the demand for reservations this year will be very heavy and intending patrons have been advised to book as early as they can. This is the society’s most costly production and to put “The Duchess of Dantzic” on adequately it has strained its resources to the uttermost. The box plan will be opened on Thursday morning.