NELSON AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY.

Colonist, Volume LXII, Issue 15259, 22 December 1919, Page 4 (Supplement)

NELSON AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY.

"RITJL JONES."

A HIGHLY SUCCESSFULJP&Ok DUCTIQN.

(From ''The CotoaasV'.-Eec I(>tla..) There were few empty seats at. the Royal last night when the^elson Amateur* Operatic Socjfity placed its first raost-war .production betore.the public. The choice'of Planquette'* tuneful opera comique, "Paul Jones, was a kappy one, and the Society w*,s fortunate in being -able <t© provide so strong a cast., and again fortunate in having the services of the veteran expert, Mr Tom Poland., .as producer. ■With such material to work upon it womu. be strange indeed if Mr PoUand failed to aohiew a snccesa, and we cannot call to mind-a more successful "first night" -than that under notice. Oiae would be &y.pei'oriiical indeed who soaaght for imlts, so outstanding was tke excellenoe of the production in all respects. As we have stated, the cast of principal characters was a strong one, and in saying that we wish to emphasise the .fact that there was not a weak link in the chain; there was nothing mediocre in the production, which throughout never fell short of exellence -and m a number of instances well deserved .-a higher meed of praise. The ioudience was appreciative from the 'overture, winch, introducing the favourite airs of the qp.era, Avas heartily applauded, to .the finale, "The Lovers United/ and all the principals were paid the compliment of being recalled. The orchestra, .under the baton of Mr H. S Claughton, L.T.C.L., the musical ■director, was a .strong .one, and the chorus also was not only strong m numbers, but well balanced, one of the most .pleasing features of the production being the chorus numbers and ensemble. This applied not only to the vocal work, "but to .the dressing and staging, which in our opinion was superior to that of any professional production of tke opera, in Nelson. Of the principals' Miss Mane Fraser as "Yvonne" calls for:first notice, and w© have nothing but praise and congratulations to offer. From first to last her acting was consistently excellent, and her every solo number, as well as duets with "Paul," was deservedly encored. Miss Fraser also received floral tributes. As "Chopinette." Mrs. W. J. Moynihan achieved success in high degree, her acting was marked "by a pleasing amount of abandon, and her vocal work was good. She was accorded the compliment of recall and floral tribute. Mrs Moynihan also contributed a. dainty solo dance, which had to be repeated. As "Malaguena," Mrs H. S. Claughton had one of those parts wincli are most difficult to fill satisfactorily, and it is entirely to her credit that she ■was so successful. Mrs Claughton has a good speaking voice, and hei- part •was made natural with a. pleasing rfmount of dignity. Mrs. Claughton also contributed an introduced solo, "A Southern Song," which met with favour. The name part, "Paul Jones," was taken by Mr E. H. Short, and it is difficult to refrain from the use of supeiv latives in referring to his very fine performance. As a vocalist'his reputation is such that no fears were entertained as to the success oi the vocal portion of heavy work that falls to "Paul," and t is not too much to say that in this re-

spect Mr Short was splendid. His spirited acting, distinguished by an ease and aplomb that would do credit to a professional artist, call for very warm praise. Mr Short achieved a success that was recognised throughout by the aiiclience, and he was frequently recalled. Mr Iv. S. Fanner, who took the part of "Rufino," did well, and is entitled to no small share of credit for the general success. Mr J. E. Allen is a veteran who may always be relied upon for a finished performance, and liis "Bicoquet" last night was that, though he had practically to "leave a sick bed to take his place. Mr Eric Waters, like Mr Allen, has not properly recovered' from sickness, but his "Don. Trocadero" was a very fine perform- ' $nee, his impersonation of the vivacious, erratic Spaniard being reminiscent of that.of W. S. Percy. Mr Waters is one of the successes of "Paul Jones." Two others are Mr George Bush and his little son Ron. Had the part of "Bouillabaisse* been made for Mr Bush it could not have better suited him, and he was very ably supported by his son, who did remarkably well. As "Bouillabaisse" and "Petit Pierre" they captured the Eearts of the audience from their first appearance, and the climax of their triumph was reached in "Mariners Bold," their reappearance being demanded again and again. Mr R. J. Kingsland had a small part as the skipper of the privateer, which he satisfactorily filled. Those taking part other than those already mentioned were: Pianist, Miss K. Fairhall; orchestra, Misses Flett (leader), Louisson and Curran, Mesdaraes T. Bush and Fairhall, Messrs G. Jacobs, T. Louisson, W. T. Brundell, Swafford, Hardie, Grant, Hume, C. Webley, and N. R. Williams. Chorus: Misses St. John, D. Fairhall, Burrough, 'M. Oldershaw, A. Chisnall, L. Greaves, K. Simpson, A. Batchelor, M. Tancred, R. Simpson, V. Betts, K. Cresswell, iH. Martin, E. Cresswell, McKenzie, Sutherland, G. Baigent, Ladley, Hall, Batchelor, Gould, McKenzio. C. Graham, J. Simpson, V. Bush, McGee, M. . Barrett, F. Shields, V. Vining, and G. King, Mesdames Short, Kayef Topliss and Tyndale, Messrs C. A. Hamilton, H. Cheek, J. H. Finney, A. G.. Betts. jun., L. Hair, C. M. Rout, A. Rout, W. Bateman, K. Gibbons>R. H. Simpson, A. Gould, and C. Levien. December 11th. Tlie second performance of Planquette's three act comic opera "Paul Jones" by the local amateurs, at the Theatre Royal last evening, was witnessed by a large . and enthusiastic audience. r4nhe marked success of the previous evening was repeated, and the whole production went with a brightness, and crispness .that would have] ■been deserving of the highest praise in a professional company. Credit for this in the first place is due to the producer —Mr. Tom Pollard —whose wide experience and untiring energy has been devoted to bringing the company up to the high standard of excellence they have achieved. Valuable assistance" was also rendered by the orchestra under the baton of Mr. H. S. j Claughton, L.T.C.L. JVc can only repeat the praise we bestowed xipon the principals and chorus in our notice of the opening performance. The cast is an exceptionally strong one. Much j was expected of them, and each one proved equal to the demands December 12th. The third night of. the "Paul Jones" •reason sa^ a capacity house, every seat being occupied. The performance was a j delightftrl one. From first to last the piece went with a swing, and the audience could not have been more appro-! ciative. With increase of confidence the ! principals excelled themselves, and each . of them received the compliment of a recali, . COMPLIMENT TO MR POLLARD, j At the'close of the performance Mr j Tom Pollard was called to the front and received an ovation from the audience. The company gave him three hearty ; cheers and sang-"For he's a jolly good, fellow." Mr Pollard, ; n acknowledging the compliment, paid a high compliment to the society, stating that he had .not nvitnes.scd a better amateur production of the piece in Australasia. Ho gave credit to the company for their hard' work, and to Mr Claughton as musical •director, reminding the audience that ho

pearecws&lly had been oidy -a f ortei^it m charge. He also mentioned the good work done by Mrs George Bush in trainV ing the company in tho cianoes. He said that ho could see ihat the aiidienco .■was'proud of the manner in *vhieli the company had acquitted themselves, and added tnat he was proud of them too. Concluding, he said that he had been requested to announce that it had been. Arranged to play an extra night—Saturday—and.that would positively be thfe>< last night of the season. j December loth. ; The Nelson Amateur Operatic Society concluded a record vseason at the Theatre Hoyal on Saturday evening, when the fifth performance of "Paul Jones" was given before a crowded audience, anajtiy being una-Me to obfein -'admission. December 19th. A telegram from Blenheim states that His Majesty's Theatre was crowded last night, when the Nelson amateurs presented "Paul Jones" to a Blenheim audience. The success achieved in Nelson was repeated. Encores were numerous, and the principals were the recipients of floral tributes. After the performance the visiting company were entertained by the Blenheim amateurs at supper.