AMATEUR OPERA.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2047, 6 September 1920, Page 4

AMATEUR OPERA.

"GEISHA" SEASON REVIEWED.

I [Written for The Sun.] I Such unstinted praise as is generally I accorded to a first-class touring comjpany may truthfully be awarded to the | Christchurch Amateur Operatic Society for its excellent presentations of "Thu Geisha," which terminated at the ! Theatre Royal on Saturday night; in-j deed, in some respects there were points j of comparison in which superiority marked its work. j It may be doubted whether any similar organisation has been so fortunate at its inception with all its principals, for 'whilst some of them brought to their aid considerable previous experience, others, who were making their first stage appearances', disclosed such unj usual abilities that the entire cast was 'able to set a remarkable standard, prob-1 sildy unequalled in Hie record of New j Zealand amateurs. The notorious, but understandable, irresponsibility of many! non-professionals, with the attendant disinclination for detailed hard work which the production of a musical comedy <n tails, was signally absent, alike in principals and chorus, and Mr Tom Pollard mast have been greatly heartened to find he had under him a combination of performers at once so apt and so industrious. The work of Miss Eva Moore (Molly Seamore), Mr G. <'. Lytteltou (Wnu Hi), and Mr Frank McDonald (Imari) has been of priceless value, not only for the intrinsic individual worth of each artist, but also for the inestimable advantages of finish and cohesivcness which such skilled assistance brings in its train. It says much for Mrs Lilly Clover, Miss Madge Wilson, and MiFrank Morrison, who all trod the bo-trds for the first time, that they were able not only to hold their own in such good company, but were competent, to handle their parts so skilfully as to cove- up all traces of stage u'nfamiliarity, and even to invest their roles with more than one touch of distinctiveness. Mrs Glover (O Mimosa San) has extreme adaptability, a facile vivaity, artlessness of expression, and a fine voiee. Her present vocal knowledge, allied to certain mannerisms and indistinctness of speech, does not enable her to extract the maximum of effect from all nhe f-ings and says; but she has sufficient available qualities to warrant the highest expectations of a successful professional career, which should certainly be her ultimate goal. Miss Wilson has an uncommon gift for light comedy, either sung or spoken, well able to depict a variety of emotions both verbally and facially," skilful in elocution and free in movement. In her one vocal and dancing effort—the duet with Wun Hi—she proved she was the possessor of a useful voice and considerable terpsichorean skill, and throughout all her scenes she constantly maintained the character of the French girl Juliette, in both accent and gesture. Mr Morrison was primarily notable for his easy stage manner, his clearness of speech, and his abundant sincerity of purpose. As the naval officer, Reginald Fairfax, he had a good deal to sing and much more -to say, and though some of his music failed to place his beautiful voice in its best light bv reason of being pitched too low, 'his unaffected delivery and charm of sympathetic expression were altogether admirable. These three young folk naturally have much to learn, repose, breadth of gesture, and more deliberation of utterance, still being needed- whilst experience will also bring a proper recognition of the part an audience, plays' in the matter of laughter and applause, enabling all their lines to be heard. But in the light of their initial achievements they may be classed as performers from whom much will be expected in the future. Refreshing features of the chorus were their genuine interest in the action of the story, whereby they became intelligent co-operators "instead of passive bystanders, and their exceptionally clear enunciation, the latter more pronounced at the commencement of the season than on the final night. To hear the words of theatre choristers is not a frequent 1 experience, hence the more commend-1 aide, and it is often forgotten that the prologues and epilogues, with much introductory and descriptive matter, are always allotted to them, so that their work is really an integral portion of the whole scheme. There remains to record the labours of the producer, who, of all departments of stage activity, has the most responsible, thankless, and harassing of tasks. The limelight knows him non and to the ordinary theatre-goer he. is little more than a name; and yet it is by his skill and industry alone that these performances become accomplished facts. To the unsparing energy and tireless patience of Mr Tom Pollard the new society owes much, and if his guiding hand remains at, the helm for future

presentations, i heir success should be assured. On Saturday night Mr 0. T. J. Alpors, on behalf of the commit tee, tendered combined thanks and congratulations to all concerned in the performances. His interesting reminiscences regarding the Christchurch amateurs of 30 years back, placed in comparison with those of the present day as represented by the Amateur Operatic Society, enabled him to pay a. series of well-earned compliments to all the principals. A slight error, in reference to Miss Madge Wilson having already appeared here in a previous stage production, needs correcting, this capable young lady having tried her hand for the first time in "The Geisha."' At the conclusion of the evening a large variety of Moral and other gifts were handed up.