"WHITE HORSE INN"

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 15, 18 January 1936, Page 10

"WHITE HORSE INN"

A BRILLIANT SPECTACLE LAST NIGHT’S PRODUCTION. Brilliant scenes following one another with amazing rapidity and music lull of Jilt and gaiety were features of the production of “White Horse Inn.’ vvhi|-h played to a large and appreciative audience in the Opera House ia*t night. The production, on a scale hitherto unseen on the legitimate stage in Wanganui, provided a feast for eve and ear. Were it not for the revoivnig stage the production of “White Horse Jun” would not be possible, for the stage makes it possible to blend the colour and atmosphere of the stage with rhe movement of the cinema. ' Lt is as a spectacle that the play succeeds; it has colour ami movement to a degree difficult to associate with lhe limits of a stage. The producing reaches heights oi brilliance and within the space of three hours five separate and magnificent scenes are staged in addition to countless other changes and it is not. necessary to possess a. wide knowledge of the theatre to realise that such a feat, would be impossible without the aid of modern stage machinery. (Some of the costume changes in the play are so rapid as to be almost unbelievable. The brilliant spectacle is woven around a story as light ami unsubsta-i tial as could be found in any musical comedy. A Yorkshireman- a inanufac turer of clothing—longing for a holiday at Clacton, is transported to the White Horse Inn high up in the Austrian Tyrol mountains by his rather imperious daughter. The guests there include a young English lawyer wilii whom the Vorkshireman is on terms, and everything hinges on the romantic misunderstandings of the two young people, the proprietress of the inn and her head waiter. Although it takes lhe visit of an Hmperor to smooth out lhe difficulties, happiness is reached for several assorted couples before the conclusion of the production. It is easy to overlook the work of the players with spectacle playing such a predominant part in the production. Nevertheless, it is performed smooth'y and with efficiency. In the singing happiness is required for the happy music, ■ind this is infused into the music oy Miss Romola Hansen and Mr. Herbert ( Browne. Miss Hansen played the part of Jnsepha, the proprietress of the, inn, i who imagines herself in love with the young English lawyer and impatient with the devotion of her head waiter, was full of gaiety and charm. Mr. Browne portrayed the role of the lawyer and Mr. Don Nicol blended pathos and comedy with artistry into his portrayal of the love-lorn heal waiter. Mr. Alban Mack and M'-.-Marie Conan add to the gaiety of lhe show by carrying on a subsidiary and lisping love affair. Miss Miriam Lister gave a charming performance as the English girl in the series of romances and possesses both in pleasing voice and a delightful stage, presence. Mr. Colin took the part of the age I emperor with a. quiet dignity, Master Grieves was pleasing as the young and ambitious waiter, and the beautiful singing of Miss Daphne Lowe in several brief interludes was worthy of mention. A picture of a hut on a mountain side, with goats grazing and doves Guttering from the roof, a storm scene with rain sweeping down on the stage, and the brilliant finale with the stag o revolving and displaying one brilliant scene after another, were carried out with reality. Another picturesque stage setting was the bathing scene, with three rows of girls in multi-colourel bathing costumes, and through the whole production ran dancing that was deft and neat. The box plan for the concluding performance to-night will bp at the D.I.C. fill noon, and at the Opera House from 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m.