A BRILLIANT AMATEUR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17524, 29 April 1925, Page 5

A BRILLIANT AMATEUR.

MISS HAZEL FAVILLE AS SAN TOY. | Jt is a. long time since Christchurch S had such a brilliant and capable amateur actress in its midst as Miss ; Hazel Faviile. now playing the part of | San Toy in the Christchurch Operatic j Society’s production of that name at | the Theatre Koyal. Miss Faviile has taken part in numerous amateur productions in this city, and has risen from the ballet to the coveted position of principal. Her work in all the productions has been greatly admired, hut in “‘San Toy*’ she lias crowned all her

successes. The universal opinion of all those people who have seen her work in this latest, show is that Miss Faville ‘ lias had nu superior amongst visiting professionals for a long time past. And it must be borne in mind that she is working under diffieultir* at the present time. If she were, only placed amongst Hie surroundings enjoyed by such performers as Josie Melville. " liere the lighting effect', scenery, sup port from fellow players, and general atmosphere are of the very best, it is difficult to estimate to what heights -Miss Faville would attain. _ The productions with which Miss Faville has been associated arc l! Paul -Tones.’' “The Country Girl.” “C'ingalec.” “Toreador.” “ Our Miss Gibbs.” and “San Toy. ' as well as two perfon nan cos for Charities Unlimited, and Hie pantomimes -‘Dick Whittington” and ■■ Jack and the Beanstalk.” Miss T- aville commenced her stage

I career in Wellington, where she was a pupil of Miss Estelle Becre. A fellow pupil and great chum, .Miss Thurza Rogers, is now understudy to Pavlova, the famous dancer, at present on the Continent. One of Miss Kaville’s appearances in Wellington was in Peter Pan.” in which she had the part of Peter. Mr Bert Hoyle saw' her in luis production, and lie was so taken with her work that lie wanted straight away to engage h r on behalf of" the .?. C. Williamson firm. On account of her youth, however, she reluctantly was forced to decline the tempting offer. Ii is nine years since .Miss Eavillo. came io reside in Christchurch and joined up with the Operatic Society. l 'J love the stage work,” she told a reporter during a brief but interesting little talk yesterday. “The stage has

always had a fascination for me. and i used to love watching Vera Pearce 1,1 the part <>i principal boy. It is a part f have always wanted tu play. I lie rehearsals arc. ot course, very tiring, but it is a lovely life for an amateur —at least so far as 1 am concerned. I have made crowds of friends mi Christchurch, and I shall miss them all very much. Mrs J. Hulme has been a big help to- me all through mv theatrical career, and I appreciate her assistance very much.” Unfortunately a most prom Ling stage career is to be cut short, as Miss Faville is to he married next month, and she will thereafter reside iu Auckland. ft will be with very great regret that Christchurch theatregoers will part with such a brilliant performer, whose voice, stage appearance, personality ancl every movement immediately suggest natural acting ability.