HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 883, 7 February 1907, Page 16

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

“THE CINGALEE.” On Thursday evening before a large audience, the Royal Comic Opera Company staged “ The Cingalee.” The piece differs from “ The Orchid” in that it may be described as a comic opera, whereas its predecessor was a musical comedy. It has a rather more coherent plot, although this is not aggressively obtrusive, while there is no lack of local colouring. Indeed, if fault there be, it is that there is too much of Ceylon, and there is therefore an absence of contrast and a consequent loss of light and shade. Perhaps one gets a little weary of dusky tea girls and coppercoloured men, and a change would have been welcome in the second act, where a golden opportunity was seemingly missed of humorous results when introducing the Cingalee into .'London society. There is a big advance on “ The Orchid” in the quality of the music, and although it lags behind in humour and bright dancing, it compensates for this with many pleasing ballads and some particu-

larly fine choruses. Miss Alma Barber took the role of Nanoya, the Cingalee, and a very charming character she made of it, while her rendering of those two dainty melodies, “My Cinnamon Tree” and “ Sloe Eyes,” left nothing to be desired. Miss Connie Milne made a great success of the part of the Polly Sabine, the governess. Although a little weak vocally she acted in a very spirited fashion, while ’ her charming frocks caused many sighs of envy. In the ludicrous “ Gollywog” duet, Miss Milne was particularly good. Miss Olive Godwin did good work as Lady Pat. her beautiful soprano voice being heard to splendid effect in the fine duet with Mr. Crane, “ You and I,” while the song, “ My Heart’s at Your Feet,” was given with much spirit, both items being re-demanded. Miss Evelyn Scott had the comparatively unimportant role of Naitooma. a tea girl,. but made the most of it, the “■ Tea” song and chorus going splendidly.

Mr. George Lauri’s make-up as Chambuddy Ram, a baboo lawyer, was excellent, and, as usual, he did much towards making the piece go. True, he has been seen to greater ad-

vantage in other roles, but this was due to the limitations of the part, and not to any falling away on the part of the comedian. Possibly in the “ Gollywog” duet he was at his best, while hiis song, “ London Conversation,” was very cleverly given. Mr. W. S. Percy was only fairly successful as the Anglo-Indian Commissioner, the part being made too much a replica of others. There is a tendency with this undoubtedly clever comedian to get into a groove which he would do well to avoid. Mr. Ralston was cast for Harry Veriker, and he acted with plenty of spirit. On the opening night he was in poor voice, and the songs entrusted to him, such, for instance, as that vocal gem, “ The Pearl of Sweet Ceylon,” were not done justice to. Mr. Arthur Crane was heard to advantage in the amusing song, “ Four Little Girls of Ceylon,” and also did well in another solo, “ The Ladies,” while he was associated with Miss Olive Godwin in the duet, “ You and I.” Altogether it was one of the best things Mr. Crane has yet given us. Mr. C. R. Bantock had a congenial role as Boobhamba, a sort of Pooh-Bah-Rajah of Bong kind of individual. Mr. Fred. Les-

lie, in a “ devil dance,” gave a clever exhibition of terpsichorean whimsicality, and was heartily applauded. “ The Cingalee” was handsomely mounted, the local colouring being highly effective. It drew good houses for five nights, but was replaced last night ?by the popular “ The Country Girl,” one of the very best of the various types of “ girls” which have been staged during recent years. This will be followed by “ The Belle of New York” and “ La Mascotte.”