“NO, NO, NANETTE”

Taranaki Daily News, 7 November 1935, Page 7

“NO, NO, NANETTE”

NEW PLYMOUTH OPERA SUCCESS. FINAL PERFORMANCE TO-NIGHT. The third performance of the musical comedy “No, No, Nanette” by the New Plymouth Amateur Operatic Society attracted a much larger audience to the Opera House last night and from the enthusiasm shown the talented players should be able to look confidently forward to a crowded house when the curtain is rung up for the final performance of the 1935 season. Last night’s audience was appreciative from the outset and showed its appreciation—well merited encouragement that caused the performance to go with even more verve than on the two previous evenings. “No, No, Nanette” is a bright and cheerful musical comedy, possessing more than the usual suspicion of plot, and providing plenty of scope for numerous interesting situations, many of which are intensely humorous and others dramatic, of which the players certainly made the most, with the result that it is an elated audience that sees with intense interest and pleasure the various entanglements unravel themselves through a maze of music, song, humour, dancing, movement and colour to a happy ending. The principals, indeed the whole cast, entered into the light-hearted spirit of the comedy with a zest and natural abandon that made for instantaneous success, and the catchy music, tuneful songs, bright choruses, humorous dialogue, with its many quips, graceful dancing, with its direct e opposite in burlesque, charming dressing and well conceived and excellently executed lighting effects made an ensemble that will long be remembered. It was indeed a distinct tribute not only to the natural ability of the performers, but also indicated the amount of hard study they had given during the past fpw weeks and how they had benefited as the result of the work of the producer, Mrs. Cecily TaborGregory.

Miss Sydney Joll as Nanette, Miss Ruth Gentles as Sue Smith, Miss Gwenyth Greenwood, as Lucille, Miss Joan Wilson as Pauline, Miss Dulcie Pearce as Betty from Blackpool, Miss Nonnie Griffiths as Winnie from Wigan, and Miss Betty List as Flora from Flamborough all added further to their laurels by their convincing interpretations of their various roles, as did John D. Quirke as Jimmy Smith, St. Leger H. Reeves as Billy Early and J. A. Pankhurst as Tom Trainor. The ballets under the leadership of Miss Peggy Wylds were pictures of vivacious gracefulness and the audience would have had more of them, as of many of the musical numbers, had there been time.

The costuming was a feature, being colourful and blending with harmonious effects, the lighting also being well arranged. The whole stage setting showed evidence of careful thought and management, there being not the slightest semblance of crowding, while the chorus always appeared at home in any situation. The well balanced orchestra under the baton of Mr. J. Dobson had its full share in the success achieved.