“A ROYAL JESTER.”

Wairarapa Age, 22 August 1929, Page 5

“A ROYAL JESTER.”

MASTERTON TECHNICAL SCHOOL OPERETTA. SUCCESSFUL OPENING PERFORMANCE. Though the weather last evening was wet, cold and uninviting, a large and appreciative audience witnessed the opening performance of the operetta “A Royal Jester,” presented /by the Technical School pupils in St. Matthew’s Parish Hall. The tuneful songs and choruses throughout the performance were excellently rendered and the libretto was pleasantly spiced with humorous local hits and allusions. The story of the operetta deals with the kindgdom of Printania, its usurping monarch and the manner in which he was overthrown by the rightful heir. The opening scene shows the Royal Court of Printania, where the song and chorus rendered by Queen Zitania (D. Taylor) and the chorus of Court ladies and gentlemen, made an immediate and very pleasing impression upon the audience. Under the rule of the usurping King Ortensis (C. Harding) the kingdom verges on bankruptcy and discontent becomes general. The Lord High Executioner (A. Martin), the Commander-in-Chief of the Army (W. Blunt), and the Admiral of the Fleet (R. Johnston) each come before His Majesty with their respective reports. The executioner proves that he is overworked (his assistant being down with the ’flu), but the reports of the admiral and commander-in-chief are anything but promising. The jolly tars are called in for King Ortensis to inspect, and perform the saiolr’s hornpipe with great credit. Through these and other scenes the story threads its musical and breezy way until the Court Jester (E. Buckton), a person of feeble jests, who in reality is the rightful heir, Prince Sylvanius, incurs the displeasure of the king. The unfortunate prince is sentenced to imprisonment for life and the first act concludes with the dejected jester being whisked away <by the royal guards. Act two introduces Puck (B. Coleman) with her merry Quips and Cranks and the Princess 'Sylvania (R. Gardner) with her Court attendants attired as shepherdesses and shepherds, who are seeking a day’s pleasure in the woods. Prince Sylvanius, who has meantime contrived to escape, is discovered in the woods by Puck, and his identity is eventually made known to the princess. All take compassion on the prince, and led by Puck, set about enthroning him. Scene three depicts once again the Court of Printania, where Puck comes to the king with an offer to fill the vacant position of Court Jester. The king accepts, and while he and the courtiers are being regaled with fun and laughter, Prince Sylvanius takes possession of the Throne. The coneluuing scenes are very amusing, the dethroned king protesting that he has a wife and daughter to support, the newlking says that he intends to marry t'ljß -princess, his daughter, bestow a fitpension upon the Queen Mother employ Ortensis as Court Jester. The dancing and singing in the second and final'scenes are, as in the first, excellently performed. Members of the cast other than those who have been mentioned, are:—The Lord Chamberlain, M. Fanthorpe; The Chancellor of the Exchequer, E. Button;' The Court Astrologer, M. Nicol; the usher, J. Bannin; quips and cranks' (servants of Puck); ladies in waiting and pages; gentlemen and royal guards. Special praise is due to B. Coleman who played “Puck” amusingly and with admirable confidence; and to E. Buckton, the Court Jester, who acquitted hi|nself well in an important part. The’ dresses worn in the production, excellent in colour and design, were all made by pupils, of the school. The scenery is also’ lhe work of the pupils and it is work of a high order of merit. The Court scene of the first and third acts shows an I, oak-panelled chamber, lighted by rose windows and equipped with a -throne. The middle act is set in a pretty woodland scene, 4 with u castle showing through the trees.

Thanks are due to the accompanist Mr. J. Whitton, and to Messrs. W. Campbell and L. t Nicol, who superWsed making-up the performers. “A Royal Jesterwill be staged again this evening in the. Parish Hall at 8 o’clock.