MUSICAL COMEDY ALIVE

Taranaki Daily News, 24 October 1930, Page 9

MUSICAL COMEDY ALIVE

THE SUCCESS OF “GOING UP” •t-x... ,v \ >OYOUSNESS; COMES WITH CHARM There were many who wagged their heads sadly when talking pictures arrived -and Said' that musical comedy was doomed. That tale will never be believed by those who saw “Going Up, the musical comedy presented by t e . New Plymouth Operatic Society at the ' Opera House last evening. -'t For there was the ring oi hie in it; ioyoufiness and charm, and droll oddl- ■ ’tics that left the lips with natural /'ease... The whole play brought back the almost forgotten freshness It was like a whiff •of .sea air after the stateness of a city. In an unusual sense it was the conquest of the machine. The 7 house was not full, which was a pity—a pity... for... those who stayed '• away. First. nights, of amateur theatricals are regarded with sus: picion. Those who were there last night • had the pleasurable feeling of finding their virtue rewarded. There was no ' first-night confusion,- even no firstnight hesitation. . Nothing diagged, nothing delayed, and with a surprising and commendable promptitude the audience found itself punctually waiting for • the half-past ten tram home. The opening chorus, was an appetising introduction. All things blended into a “fiarmQnious whole—the voices, the frocks and tho- intricate movements. Somebody had an- unerring eye for colour and the gift of arranging details so as build up pretty patterns and colour forms. The chorus was always pleasing with its dancing and singing. There were so many members that the chorus filled the stage, but always neatjy. never aaudily or loosely. The openelf dr uses and finales had the tunefulness, swing and that verve that is best described as gusto.

CLAMOUR FOR &R. STREET.

■ The curtain rises on an inn in Massachusette. A Mr. Robert Street, the . author- of.-a book on aviation called '•Going Up? is due to 7 arrive. It seems that trie whole world wants Mr. Robert .. . Street. Red-garbed.. bell-boys, brisk, W smart .creatures,, run. here and there . crying bis tame. - The telephone girl, Miss °Zoriric, does' nothing but answer calls.for him arid is thrilled with it. Mias Zonne was played by Mrs. Cydie ■ Strang, who has an infectious private fund of' humdur. Street’s friend, Hopkmson played by Mr. E. E. Gadd, has told the • whole hotel that,Street is, so to speak, in the first' flight of aviators. But '' Street has never been in an aeroplane . .in his life. . / . There comes to the hotel Gaillard, a noted French aviator, and heavy wag•<c?S 'are laid on-ri match between Gaillard'and Gaillard is played by ■ Mr. W. Taylor ih a clear-cut, practised manner. Street, played by Mr. R. B. Scott, arrives, in company with his: publisher Brookj played by Mr. W. G. Holder, " Brook and Hopkinson boldly declare ' that Stret must go up and fly his maten •; with. Gaillard. A mechanician, Sam Robinson, played by Mr. C. Blake, is engaged to train, him. On an “aeroplane? arranged with Stable and chairs, .Street is taught, how. to fly. 'The eciqe Jjpa the success of ■■~’- the': evening. “pilot” ...seat Mr. Scott was perfectly -haggard with nervousness. Mr? GJddand Mr. Holder were .absorbed ;in-the gravity of the. venture. . Above the roar of the “eiitgine? Splayed by the kettledrum, rose r.the dramatic cries of Mr. Blake as he ' grouted directions. It was. a perfect mock seriousness. ''BRILLIANT. SCENES.??:?, : • ■, <^With the,, qpipk variety of’ niufllqai. ,/oinedy caine, the Othpr scenes. There was the- scene where, after Margaret.Patrick?apd the chorus had ■ scored a,triumpir, the. dancers came and ' rapped, out the song on the boards with . .th<?ir. feet? ,Theye was a scene of tnocfc love-making whoje Mr.. Taylor, kneeling on.-.: a handkerchief ■ and punctuating his song with round. kisses,, sang... to Marsaret Patrick; sweetly reluctant; It very jolly Jfun and Mr... Taylor - rolled au exquisitely ecstatic eye. The quartette, Messrs. F. Hooker, W. • Okey, C. Blake and V.* Walsh, sang the melody and then Mrs. Evie Atkinson and Mr. Theo Tresize gave a graceful duo dance in which their feet., seemed scarcely to touch the flopr.; In the meantime the-vpices of .the, quartette «sou tided off-stage. “ It?w.as all' very pretty. The last act, aft all last a'cts. should be,-was,.short ,an 4 good,. The soloists ■arid,, the a -workmanlike finish. Comedy-drqma was sharp and »wift wfiile the. waited v for news of eStreet; ..Qf course- he returned the conquering hero. Another ; dancer . .appeared,. Vola Watspn, a; tiny .figure • in.-riiver grey, who did. incredible things ■ with her 'arms arid legs.' The. chorus took up the swaying tune of the last rousing finale and the curtain, .fell -on i very° fine performance. - , . r ■ As Street Mr. R. B. Scott acted splendidly. With him Margaret Patrick had the making or marring of the performance, and ’they made it -well. Margaret Patrick was very charming. Joan Goodall, as Madeline Manners, .her. roguish ehum, gave gaiety and .vivacity to the. performance. Other principal;.parts were Mr. Douglas played by Mr. A. M-. MacDiannid, Mrs. Douglas by Frances-Kit-to, John Gordon by G.. C. Cress, and Louis, Gaillard’s mechanician, played by Mr. I. Beckbessinger. The principals were very aptly chosen. An accomplished performance was <riven by the orchestra, conducted by th* musical director, Mr. Francis Cornwall. Mr. Theodore Tresize was the producer. Liir