“ARCADIANS” TO OPEN SEASON TONIGHT

Wanganui Chronicle, 8 November 1949, Page 6

“ARCADIANS” TO OPEN SEASON TONIGHT

A Pleasing Musical Play The Wanganui Amateur Musical and Dramatic Society is to start tonight a six-night season of "The Arcadians.” a very popular musical comedy. The first three presentations will be tonight, tomorrow and on Thursday night, and the remainder of the season will be on Tuesday, Wednesday an J Thursday of next week. This popular society revived itself in 1945 with the presentation of "Our Miss Gibbs.’’ Then followed, in succession: "Sally,” in April and May of 1946 and "A Country Girl" in November the same year. In May, 1947, the society produced "The Vagabond King,” and in May, 1948, "Goodnight Vienna.” In May of this year the production was "A Runaway Girl.” "The Arcadians” is a "different sort sort of play in comparismon with the six presented since 4he recent revival of the society's activities. It has woven the aeroplane into the story, and created a land of dreams in "Arcady.” From that setting Arthur Wimpers has found scope for catchy lyrics set to appealing music by Lionel Monkton and Howard Talbot. ‘‘The Pipes of Pan are Calling” came from "The Arcadians,” and so did "The Girl With a Brogue,” "The Joy of Life,” "Arcady is Ever Young.” “Fickle Fortune,” "Oh Do Step the Two-Step,” ‘‘Bring Me a Rose," "My Heart Flies Homing.” It has taken many weeks of rehearsal to train this big cast and to mould the story to suitable settings. It is a pretty play, with an amusing plot, and there is something topical about its dialogue. "The Arcadians” was last presented in Wanganui in 1927, and it is interesting to look back at the cast. Julie Werry played the part of "Sbmbra,” the maid of "Arcady,” Mrs. W. R. Gibson was "Mrs. Smith” and lhe inimitable Bob Howell was "Peter Doody.” The part of "Mr. Smith,” who becomes "Simplicitas" in Arcadia, was played by the late Frank Crotty. Lee Swan was the Irish "girl with a brogue,” "Miss Cavanagh,’ Keith Grant was "Jack Meadows’ and the part of "Bobbie” was played by Nelson Meuli. Arthur Tilley was "Reggie." Mr. Theo Trezise was the producer in 1927 and the honorary conductor Mr. Louis Cohen. Round the play of today Alexia Rankin has weaved a modern stage presentation, and it will be noted for its prettiness, appealingmusic and extraormdinary situations, the most* of which surrounds "Mrs. Smith” falling irt lo\e with a man, who, in an Arcadian disguise, she does not recognise as her own husband. country reached such a level that it could be abolished. The policy of the National Party was full of contradictions, said the Minister. "It is contrary to the theory that they have always believed in. ft is also contradictory to the fierce opposition they have put. up in the House when these schemes of ours have been advanced.” Stating that he realised the Government may have made some errors and had not been popular with all sections of the community, he declared that Now Zealand in 14 years had reached the stage when its people wore th e best clothed the best fed and the host housed in th e whole world. "That is saying something for a small country. 11. is a truly great achievement.” he said. The Minister and Messrs Cotterill and Finer were accorded votes of thanks.