THE FIRST MIGHT.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 November 1925, Page 9

THE FIRST MIGHT.

OPERA HOUSE OPENED. HIGH PRAISE FOR THEATRE. LARGE AUDIENCE DELIGHTED. New Plymouth’s new Opera House was opened on Saturday night. It was a brilliant first night. A large, comfortable theatre acoustically perfect, an audience which filled every part of the house and a pretty Irish comedy-drama contributed their measure to what Mr. F. E. Wilson, in formally declaring the theatre ‘open, truly said would be a memorable occasion. No examination of a theatre by an architect, engineer or contractor was more close or more critical than was the collective scrutiny of the Opera House by Saturday night’s audience. And it passed the test, not just easily, but with flying colours. A hundred and one different features commended themselves to a hundred and one different observers. The vestibule, the lounge and the cloak rooms made such a strain on the vocabulary that when the auditorium was reached many found that perforce they had to repeat themselves in finding words which would convey their eulogies of the Oj>era House Company and the architect, Mr. Thomas H. Bates. Those •who had expected much were not disappointed; the lesser optimistic spirit was more than agreeably surprised with what had been provided for his comfort. SPLENDID APPOINTMENTS. By (hose members of the audience who had been patrons of modern theatres in larger cities in the world beyond New Zealand, the Opera House was subjected to what are perhaps the three greatest tests —acoustics, sight lines, and grouped together, stage accommodation and lighting and comfort in the seats. Acoustically, the theatre is perfect. Mr. Wilson and the players stated later that speaking in their ordinary tones, they felt instinctively that their words were passing over the proscenium to the uttermost parts of the auditorium. The audience, from the gallery, all parts of the dress circle and in the front, middle and back of the stalls were unanimous that there had not been the slightest difficulty in hearing. Again, statements made previously that every member of the audience would not have the slightest difficulty in seeing the stage, were borne out, even although the theatre was packed. The same remarks apply to the last of the throe tests. Although it was a first night in a new theatre, one could quite easily have forgotten that fact in the smoothness with which the arrangements for the function made by the manager of the Opera House Company, Mr. Garnett H. Saunders, w’ere carried out. Mr. Saunders has a habit of doing the right thing without fuss or excitement and on Saturday night he excelled himself. Patrons who had not booked in advance received their tickets quickly but quietly. Ticker holders easily reached the cloakrooms and then found that Mr. Saunders’ staff of ushers had made themselves so well acquainted with the plan that they could lead direct to the seats with a confidence worthy of years of experience in the theatre. One would have excused hesitancy and a certain amount of confusion on such an occasion. That there was not the slightest suggestion of either was an additional pleasure. A LONG FELT WANT. It was to an audience well pleased with the theatre that Mr. Wilson addressed his remarks in officially Opening the Opera House before the curtain rose. “To-night is a memorable night for all of us,” Mr. Wilson said. “It sees the consummation of our hopes in the completion of an up-to-date and opera house for this district. An opera house is a necessity in every district, and ever since the old Theatre Royal was destroyed in the great fire of 1916 we have felt the want. But it is one thing to feel the want and another thing to supply the necessity. We are indebted therefore, to the publicspirited citizens who, taking their courage in their hands, have brought about this building.” It was good to think that in carrying ©ut their intentions to erect an opera house, the company had not passed by local architectural talent and local building skill, the Mayor proceeded. In the opera house they had a building which would compare most favourably with any similar structures in the Dominion or places beyond. “In the sincere hope that the wishes of the promoters may be fully realised, and that the money invested may bring in a fair return, I have pleasure in declaring the New Plymouth Opera House formally open,” Mr. Wilson added amidst applause. Mr. Denis Kehoe and his Irish comedydrama company, who appeared at the Empire Theatre some weeks ago, were invited to give the opening show at the Opera House, and “Molly Bawn,” a story of love and hate in four acts, was chosen by Mr. Kehoe for the opening night. Sir Algernon Amherst was a crusty old baronet who derived a great deal of sardonic pleasure at the manifestations of affection of his granddaughter, Marcia Amherst. and his grandson, Phillip Shadwell, knowing full well that their interest in him was chiefly confined to the contents of his will. Into his house he introduced another grand-daughter, “Molly Bawn,” whose transparent honesty and goodness of heart were rays of sunshine which threw info strong relief the mercenary natures of her cousins and made her a fit recipient, for the boisterous Irish affection of Ted Luttrell, a guest of the house. The plot revealed the attempt of Marcia to separate the lovers, disgrace Molly Bawn in her grandfather s eyes and to preserve Sir Algernon’s will in favour of herself and Phillip. The pricks of conscience are added to when, having given Sir Algernon a fatal dose of his sleeping draught, she finds that a new will had been made, that Molly Bawn is rhe heiress and that the lovers are re united. TRIBUTE TO THE THEATRE. Miss Gwen Dorise had a role full of dramatic possibilities as Marcia and .she made the most of them, particularly in the last act when the voice of conscience was having froe play. Miss Frances Kayher made Molly Bawn the winsome, straight-going Irish lass one expected, and one rejoiced to see her at the fall of the curtain safely in the arms of Ted Luttrell, of whom Mr. Kehoe made an admirable lover and at the same time a man’s man. The difficult role of the crusty baronet was well sustained by Mr. Chas. Keegan, while Ronald Ri’r> showed up the contemptible nature of Phillip Shadwell. The supporting members of the company played up well to their principals and assisted materially in carrying to a successful i&sue a story, the pleasure of which was

added to by several Irish melodies and the orchestra. With the drop of the final curtain, Miss Kayher was made rhe recipient of a prettybouquet and a huge box of chocolates. The thanks of himself and of his company for the honour that had been done them in allowing them to open the theatre were conveyed by Mr. Kehoe, who said that there was no finer theatre in Australasia. Some might be bigger and have more lavish decorations, but in the things that mattered the New Plymouth Opera House eclipsed them all. He thought he could say that without fear of contradiction for he had played in every theatre in the Commonwealth and the Dominion. Mr. Kehoe added that New Plymouth had ♦very reason to feel proud that it possessed an architect who could design such a theatre and contractors who could carry out the work. Mr. Kehoe also extended his thanks to Purser’s, Ltd. for their generosity in placing their stock of furniture at his disposal for the plays. “Molly Bawn” will be staged again tonight. To-morrow night the company will appear in “Tom Moore.”