AMATEUR ACTIVITIES.

Waikato Times, Volume 104, Issue 17502, 8 September 1928, Page 17 (Supplement)

AMATEUR ACTIVITIES.

* * HIGH JINKS.” HAMILTON OPERATIC SOCIETY. The Hamilton Operatic Society is well advanced with rehearsals of “ High Jinks,” and the public performances next month should be very successful. Of course “ Katinka ” last year set a standard difficult to maintain —for it was probably the finest amateur production seen in New Zealand for some years—but with the enthusiasm of all concerned in “ High Jinks ” and the excellence of the material, there is no reason why this melodious musical comedy should not be equally successful. On Monday night the whole of the first act was gone through, and excellent work was done by principals and chorus. May I give a hint to members of the

chorus? Always think of the words you are singing, and act according. On Monday night, in the finale to the first act, the chorus were singing “ Goodbye, Good-bye ” —and very few of them were looking at the person to whom thev were saying good-bye 1 Some outstanding solo dances and ballets, including a screamingly funny burlesque, will be introduced into “High Jinks” Lines from “High Jinks.” Jeffreys: I got my wish but lost my shape. Wayne: If a dog bit that man it w'ouid die of distemper. Slaughter: This is one time I can insult my intelligence instead of my stomach. Slaughter: I am so full of pills that at night I roll out of bed. Rabelais: Like a fool, I trusted you; now like a man I will kill you. Adelaide: He’s the grumpiest groueii that ever soured the milk of human kindness.

Wayne: You don’t have to be a detective to play the part of a wife. Chi-Chi: It helps. Adelaide: You don’t expect a woman to have money on her back and in her pocket-book at the same time. Chi-Chi: It seems improper—almost dangerous. “THE BELLE OF NEW YORK.” AUCKLAND OPERATIC SOCIETY. The Auckland Operatic Society’s production of “ The Belle of New York” will extend over nine nights, commencing on September 20th. The cast will be: Ichabod Bronson .... Raymond Reeve Harry Bronson Ernest Snell Karl von Pumpernick G. G. Lyttelton “ Doc ” Snifkins Len Kevcn “Blinky Bill” McGuire Robt. Fenwick Kenneth Mug Frank Martin Count Ratsi Rattatoo Arthur J. Prentice Count Patsi llattattoo Arvinc B. Birch Mr. Twiddles A. J. Petterson Violet Gray Eva Simpson Fill Fricot Dorothy Richardson Kissie Filzgarter .... Dorothy Steel Cora Angelique .... Grace Nicholson Mamie Clancy Audrey Simmers Pansy Pins Doreen D Authreau Mr. Theo Trezise is producer, and Mr. Colin Muston musical director. OTHER PRODUCTIONS. ■ The Masterton Operatic Society will produce “High Jinks” on September 17. Mrs. E. Dennis, formerly of Hamilton, arranged the dances for the performance of Maritana ”by a company ol' 100 at Napier this week. “ The Belle of New York ” will be presented by the Invercargill Operatic Society for five nights, commencing next Monday. Mr. J. Pollard is producer, and Mr. D. W. McKay musical director.

Amateur Success In Sydney. The little Playbox Theatre, Sydney, was crowded when Mr. Duncan MacDougall and his company of amateurs produced a stirring American play, “ Chicago,” a satire on modern American methods in criminal cases. The play was first given a try-out in Chicago in 1926, when it was ridiculed some of the leading critics. Later at New York it was found to have entertaining qualities at first hardly suspected. The part of Roxie was capably taken by Miss Freda M'Ghee, and Mr. Duncan MacDougall m.ikle a good deal of the part of the wily lawyer who defends her. Miss Constance do Vere was also good as Liz, and the reremainder of the cast ably assisted in the achievement of an interesting performance.*