PRINCESS OF POPPYLAND

Taranaki Daily News, 2 August 1930, Page 6

PRINCESS OF POPPYLAND

PRODUCTION AT KAPONGA. SUCCESS OF LOCAL TALENT. The delightful operetta “Princess of Poppy land” was the subject of a successful presentation at Kaponga on Thursday and Friday by the'Kapdnga Amateur Theatrical Society. On each night there was a .large and appreciative audience. The • cast consisted entirely of local, talent and deserves great commendation,. Tile players were;—. Messrs, F. W. Fallows (King of Poppyland)/A. S. Davis (Fizzletop), J. Tattersall (Hon. Dozey), W. A. Fendall (Prince Wideawake), H. A. Gallagher (Raron Insomnia),-J. Tonkin (Pip Bip), G. Davies (Honk Honk), Misses Myrtle Evans (Princess of Poppyland), G. Knight and R. Behl (court pages), Phyllis Knight (Moondaisy), Muriel. Evans (Cornflower), Mrs. W. Carrington (Britannia), Miss Eileen. Gallagher (England), Miss Mary Webby (Ireland),.Miss I. Jackson (Scotland), Mrs. C. Corder (Wales), Spanish, gypsies, flower girls, court attendants, heralds, sentries, populace and chorus complete the cast. These are Misses A. Noonan,. V. Fever, M. Guy, J. Guy, J. Burke, Q. Guthrie, P. Corder, P. Gardner, F. Gardner, J, Thurston, E. Harris, V. Fallows;- J, Gallagher, S. Betties, L. M. McCarthy, ..Behl, I. Brewer, M. Cook, Messrs. A. Wills, T, Phillpotts, Masters F. and L. Carrington, V. and D. Evans, R. Knight, G. Fallows. The orchestra comprised Mr. O. E. Champtaloup (conductor), Mrs. I. E. Evans (pianiste), Miss M. Blennerhasset and Mr. R, G. Hill (first violins), Mrs. J. H, Tyack (second violin), Mr. C. Libeau (cornet), Mr. K. Albon (trombone). z The operetta was produced by Messrs. C. A. Corder and A. S. Davis, both of whom gave untiringly of their services and undertook a vast amount of detailed work. A great deal of the success is undoubtedly due to their efforts. The scene opens in a garden in Poppyland, the opening chorus . being “Wake, Oh! Wake.” Fizzletop engages in song, “Up-to-Date,” followed by a flower dance by the flower girls. “Hail to the King of Poppyland” is the next chorus number, the Princess following with a well rendered solo “Love’s Dreamland.” The Hon Dozey, noted for his somnolence, bursts into humorous song on the virtues of “Bed, Beautiful Bed,” the chorus following with "Merrily We Pass on Our Way.” The Prince contributes a pleasing solo, “Love’s Golden Clime,” and the chorus joins in “On To The Banqu't Haste Away.” The courtyard of the fastle is the locale of the second act. For each’act appropriate scenery has been specially prepared, and this proves most pleasing and effective. “With Hearts All Alight” is the first chorus item, the flower chorus singing “With Roses Bestrew tho. Way.” The King contributes a vocal number, “I am a Merry Monarch,” and Cornflower- and Moon Daisy give in song “The Casket Legend.” “Hail to the King” is sung by the chorus, and “Motor-ing Mottoes” is a vocal contribution by the Baron, Pip Pip and Honk Honk. “When Love Appears,” a duet by tlie Prince and the Princess, is one of the most popular of the vocal numbers. ‘Teaceful Sleep Has Departed” sings the chorus to symbolise the loss of the magic casket, “Beauty Sleep.” In this act a pretty Egyptian dance isgiven by Miss Peggy Wylds. The final act discloses a scene in the reception hall of the eastle, the musical numbers comprising “Let the Bells in Welcome Ring” (chorus), “Dreamland,” a solo by the Princess, “When the Day is Dawning” (chorus), “I Haven’t Got a Minute,” by the Baron Insomnia. The final scenes depict a pretty tableau with Britannia and her attendants England, Scotland, Ireland and .Wales. Dancing numbers by a troupe of Spanish gypsies and a toe dance by one of the flower girls (Phyllis Corder) complete this pretty scene and lead up to the finale, in which Prince Wideawake appears with the Baron’s servants, Pip Pip and Honk Honk, whom he has detected as havingstolen the magic casket. This he restores and claims the hand of the fair Princess of Poppyland. The King consents and the curtain descends to the singing of the Wedding Bells chorus. The operetta is to be repeated •at Manaia on Tuesday and at Opunake on August 14. Portions of the proceeds at each place. are to be donated to the Manaia Women’s Division charity fund and the Opunake Seaside Society.