“WALTZES FROM VIENNA”

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1934, Page 3

“WALTZES FROM VIENNA”

BRILLIANT, COMPLETE SUCCESS. BEAUTIFUL MUSIC OF STRAUSS. Brilliantly and completely successful, set to the lovely music of Johann. Strauss and the graceful lilt of waltz time and with a background of lavish mounting and stage effect seen once in a generation, “Waltzes From Vienna” entranced a capacity attendance at the New Plymouth Opera House last night. Finishing to the strains of the immortal “Blue Danube” waltz, the musical play left theatregoers with the regret that such a treat of melody, comedy, spectacle and romance is to be seen only once in years. A love story set to music, “Waltzes From Vienna” had the typical Viennese freshness and gaiety as well as a simplicity that was delightful. It sparkled throughout, as befitted such a gem in musical plays, and the Strauss music was mada something really living against the background of brilliant uniforms and the glistening silken dresses of the period. The story of the younger Johann Strauss fighting for a musical career in the teeth of the opposition of the famous elder Strauss, was revealed. He loved humbly—a pastrycook’s daughter —and the guile of another woman placed him on the way to success. The ballet work must be the best seen in New Zealand since .the great Anna Pavlova paid her visit. A memorable scene marked the second scene opening, when hanging arches of green velvet were set against a relief of dark blue. A warm red glow was shed by lanterns from above each arch, and on a pedestal three girls formed a living group of statuary. In this gorgeous setting came a ballet of unparalleled, gentle loveliness with soft lighting touches from the wings casting a series of changing colours over the dresses. The exquisite grace of the solo dancer, Miss Ivy Kirby, was the peak of perfection in a beautifully mounted and perfectly lit scene. It aroused great enthusiasm from the audience.

The whole play was replete with exquisite setting. Simple when compared with some of the others, that of the room where the younger Strauss and his sweetheart wove their love dreams to the improvisation of the “Blue Danube”' was outstanding in delicacy of furnishing and light toning. A triumph of the stage technicians was the fireworks display in the third scene of the second act. •

Full credit was done to music, which has stood the test of time, by the orchestra under Mr. Leo Packer. The tone, was well balanced, particularly, in the strings. In uniforms of white with gold braid, the orchestra was mounted on a high dais on the stage in the finale where, conducted by the younger Strauss, they excelled in the playing of the “Blue Danube” by which, as the play went, the aspiring composer found favour at last in the heart of his stem parent, the elder Strauss. This was indeed a brilliant finish, particularly with the miniature Viennese music garden effect and the tiers of seats occupied by cavaliers in resplendent uniform and beautiful women, fittingly gowned. The young lovers were-played by John Dudley as Strauss junr. (“Schani”) and Jean Duncan as Therese Ebeseder (“Resi”) the pastrycook’s daughter. Mr. Dudley, imparted a romantic spirit into his excellent characterisation of an aspiring composer with nothing but waltzes to. offer his lady. He had the majority of the male solos and duet parts and was admirable in all. An unaffected charm and a stage manner which made her live the part earned Miss Duncan popularity with the audience. Her light soprano voice was used to advantage in the many numbers which fell to her part. Miss Sylvia Welling, who played the part of the Countess Olga, patroness of “Schani,” showed herself a talented actress besides a fine singer, and she made her solo “We Love You Still,” a very real thing indeed. Mr. Clifford Cowley as Resi’s unsuccessful admirer, played his part very well and used his fine baritone voice to advantage. Mr. Lou .Vernon, was the older Strauss, a dignified . and excellent characterisation. Mr. Leslie Holland as an eccentric producer of spectacular fireworks effects in the music garden was always amusing. His descriptions of his fireworks were wonderful pieces of comedy. There was a! good leaven of comedy, all of a high standard. Mr. Cecil Kelleway, whose name is a household word among theatregoers, had, like good wine, improved with age. He played the part of a pastrycook and with , the diminutive Mr. Leslie Donaghey as the Court tailor, continually kept the audience more than merely amused. An attractive bridal couple in the first act were Miss Jean Gibson and Mr. Reginald Riddell.