HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 884, 14 February 1907, Page 16

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

“A COUNTRY GIRL.” The management made no mistake in including a revival of “ A Country Girl” in the repertoire, and good business was done throughout the four nights’ season. It is doubtful if any comic opera has been presented which surpasses this musical play of Mr. J. L. Tanner’s, and it is one of the most universally popular ever presented to the public. As Geoffrey Chailoner, Mr. Arthur Crane had plenty of scope, and he lost no opportunity. Miss Olive Godwin is probably at her best in the part of Marjory Joy, and her fulfilment of the role was most charming. In the delightful “ Coo” duet with Mr. Crane there was such a perfect blending of voices, that it amounted to a musical triumph, and the audience was sent into ecstacies. Mr. George Lauri appeared in his original role of Barry, and with Miss Connie Milne as Madame Sophie, was responsible for no end of merriment. The applause which followed their clever duet, “Won’t You Marry Me, Chic?” amounted to a furore. Mr. Claude Bantock seems eminently suited for such parts as the Rajah of Bong, and assumes the role with a kind of humorous stoicism which befits the conception. Miss Nellie Wilson was a decided success as Princess Mehelaneh, a part in which Miss Cecilia Ghiloni appeared the last time “ A Country Girl” was staged in Auckland. Miss Wilson’s singing and acting was in thorough accord with the character, and her conception of •the Indian princess was one of the most creditable features of the piece. Mr. W. S. Percy had hardly his usual amount of scope in the part of the country-bred Douglas Verity, but, needless to remark, he made the most of it as a character study. As Nan, Miss Evelyn Scott was really excellent, and her “ Try Again, Johnny,” was simply splendid. Minor parts were taken in a way that combined to make the presentation of “ A Country Girl” one of the most successful productions of the season.