COMIC OPERA TRIUMPHANT.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1036, 13 January 1910, Page 16

COMIC OPERA TRIUMPHANT.

CROWDS ' iTILyL FLOCKING TO HIS MAJESTY’S. HAVANA’S FUN AND FROLIC. In “ Havana,” the second production of J. C. Williamson’s New Comic Opera Company, at His Majesty’s, fun and frolic predominate; comedy runs riot, assaults the senses with its mirthful interludes, holds the eyes with its diverting episodes, arrests the ears with its tuneful, topical mel : odies, and tickles the palate as only a really first-class comedy can. Its atmosphere* is distinctly Cuban and revolutionary at that, the scenes sentering around the cigar store of Bombito and Co., the patio of the Torre del Campo, where the conspirators foregather with the übiquitous Englishmen (Jackson Villiers, of the S.Y. “Wasp”; the Hon. Frank Charteris, his friend and fellow voyager; the yacht’s boy, Reginald Brown, and Nix, Bo’sun of the “Wasp’ ) who are wrongly suspected of running contraband of war, in support of the revolutionaries, and the harbour at Havana, where the “Wasp” lies at the quay under arrest. Life, motion and colour find ample play all through the chapter, and the fun-makers enjoy themselves nearly as much as those for whose amusement they cater. The stately dignity of the “King of Cadonia” is alone lacking. The play is admirably mounted, the scenery and dresses leave nothing to be desired, the vocal numbers are catchy and full of interest, and the chorus singing is remarkably good, while the orchestration is excellent. The whole play consequently affords a feast of mirth, song and melody, which must be seen and heard to be appreciated—“ Havana” is, in short, one of the brightest .funniest and best of the musical comedies so far presented to us by any of Mr. Williamson’s companies.

Miss Olive Godwin fills a dashing role —that of the lively Consuelo (Bombito’s niece) who is more than half in love with the Don Adolfo, son of the Mayor of Havana (Mr. Frank Greene), while retaining fond memories of her former English wooer, Jackson Villiers (Mr. Herbert Clayton), who returns unexpectedly to press his suit afresh, on the eve of her bethrothal to Don Adolfo. She sings well, acts spiritedly and is a distinct success in the part. Miss Lottie Sargent, again, is in her element as Anita, the cigar seller. Like Consuelo, Anita has had an English lover, to whom, indeed, she was married six years before the play opens, her husband being carried off to his ship within half an hour of the wedding ceremony. As she has not heard from him in the interval she has the marriage tie annulled by the simple expedient of having him declared dead. When the “gay deceased,” in the person of Nix the Bo’sun, turns up and meets Anita, “the Merry Widow,” the fun waxes fast and furious. An admirable little actress, Miss Sargent makes good all through, sings and dances well and plays her part to perfection. In the interpolated duets “The Slopes of Denmark Hilll” (sung with Mr. W. S. Percy), and “The Merry Widow” with Mr. Gilbert, as also in the dances with the latter comedian, she was repeatedly encored on the opening night and has been <ince. Than Miss Sargent, with her dainty, piquant ways, there is possibly no greater favourite in the company. Miss Ada Stirling has a some<whai heavier part to play as Isabella (Bombito’s sister), one of the chief conspirators and the woman who was to be proclaimed Queen of Cuba once the revolution began. She Infuses an amount of life and vivacity into the part and a coyness in her search for a husband that is infinitely .diverting, the funniest scene of the evening being that in she is about to nnr>n whom her cbo’ce of a hus Ko nd has fallen, the Englishmen present with the conspir-ators-all—seeking-- a hiding place beneath the table or elsewhere to avoid her amorous clutches. As the cigarette girls Tita, Pepita and Lolita, Miss Ivy Freshman, Miss Elsie Stevenson and Miss Lily Moore are alike

good, the remaining parts of Mamie (the type-wr'ter girl), Teresa (a flower girt) and Gladys, being well filled by Miss Olive Sinclair, Miss Dorienne Dayne' 'and Miss Helen Moseley. , The fun and frolic of the play centre around Mr. Bert Gilbert and Mr. W. S. Percy. The former’s presen-

Cation of “Nix, the Bo’sun” is admirable and leaves nothing wanting. The character is one of the many types of sea-faring men made famous ;by W. W. Jacobs and might have stepped out of Sunwich on to the stage. Mr. Gilbert’s serious drolleries and the Jacobs’ flavour go well together and make the character

simnly 'ir'resist'ble. The audience laughs till it cries and cries till it '°ughs again at the exquisite and yet pertec'D natural alsurd'ties presented. The conception is great and probably ranks as the most meritorious ~f Mr. Gilbert’s performances. His songs “Smile, Smile, Smile,” and

“How did the Bird know that?” with their topical allusions, add greatly to the (enjoyment and appreciation lof the crowd. Mr. W. S. Percy’s reception oh the opening night was flattering in the extreme. He is a great favourite with the ladies and is not without warm admirers amongst the men. He has improved out of all

knowledge since he made his first bow before an Auckland audience. When he came upon the stage in the role of the Ship’s Boy, Reginald Brown, on Thursday night, the crowd simply rose at and applauded him to the echo. It was his first appearance this season and everyone was delighted to see him again. And there was a certain rolicksome touch about everything that he said, sang, or did, that seemed to say the pleasure was mutual. The new Percy more than made good during the evening and was correspondingly elated. His song “Filibuster Brown” is one of the successes of the evening.

Mr. Herbert Clayton had a livelier part to play than in “The King of Cadonia.” He loses somewhat in dignity but gains in public favour, as his genius of song and versatility of talent is made more apparent. He plays the part of Jackson Villiers, the skipper of the S.Y. “Wasp,” with much spirit, sings and dances admirably, and gives general satisfaction and pleasure in the role. In the musical numbers he is heard to greatest advantage in his song with the Flappers, “Would you like to Motor with Mater?” and in the duet “A Little Supper Table for Two.” Mr. Frank Greene as Don Adolfo makes merry with the Flappers—a bevy of handsome young ladies with whom he flirts and enjoys himself tremendously and sings with great acceptance “Hello people, People hello” and “Cupid’s Telephone,” the latter, if anything, having the finer effect. He adds greatly to the enjoyment of the play. Mr. J. R. Hogue, as the Hon. Frank Charteris; " Mr. Victor Prince, as Bombito del Campo (Mayor of Ha vana) and Mr P. Bathurst, as Diego de la concha, are also good, the minor parts of Hilario, Alejandro and the Sentry being well filled by Mr. A. Sharpies, Mr. H. Vincent and Mr. Arthur Lissant. “A COUNTRY GIRL.” To-morrow evening J. c. Williamson will stage for the last three nights, of what has so far been a remarkably successful season, James Tanner’s refreshing musical play, “A Country Girl.” Of all the “Girls” that have been presented to us in the musical comedy way, from time to time, the “Country Girl” has proved the most enduring from a popular point. The management unhesitatingly affirms the presentment, by the present company, of this charming play as the most comprehensive and convincing of any previously submitted. Miss Dorothy Court will be the new Marjorie Joy, a part that she has played with much distinction throughout England and America, Miss Lottie Sargent the Sophie, Miss Ivy Scott Nan, which, by the way, she is the original of in Australasia, and Miss Olive Godwin the Indian Princess. The new “Geoffrey Chailoner” will be Mr. Herbert Clayton, and an old “Barry,” although new here, will be found in that very favourite comedian Mr. W. S. Percy. The compand play up till and including Saturday night, leaving for New Plymouth on Sunday evening. THE HACKENSCHMIDT SEASON. OPENING ON MONDAY. The presence of Hackenschmidt in New Zealand is sure to create a muchneeded revival in wrestling and athletics generally. The popular Russian is arriving in this country on the 16th inst, by the Maheno, from Sidney, where he has been appearing with conspicuous success in a very attractive programme, which includes exhibitions of wrestling, physical training exercises, posture posing, muscle culture and the many feats of endurance by which Hackenschmidt has proved himself justly famous. Acteompanying “The Russian Lion,” as trainer, is Gunner Moir, and his chief wrestling partner is Bain, the Scottish giant. Hackenschmidt’s principal object, in visiting Australasia was to meet Gotch in a contest for the championship of the World and a purse of £SOOO offered by

Messrs. Baker and Talbot, of Melbourne.

■ This match was mutually agreed upon, and duly drawn up, as far back as May last, and should have taken place this month in either Melbourne or Sydney. It was for a time held up owing to Gotch cabling he had to undergo an operation, which it was further stated would necessitate a 12 months’ rest. It transpired, however, that Gotch had met Racevitch, the Italian champion, and defeated him in the interval. Gotch’s unexpected return to form prompted Messrs. Baker and Talbot to cable to America, suggesting the necessity of Gotch meeting Hackenschmidt as arranged. To this and other communications the promoters are, however, unable to obtain a definite reply, and, in the meantime, Hackenschmidt is to open a season at His Majesty’s Theatre on Monday evening, in his unique athletic demonstrations, supported by Gunner Moir and Herman, together with a specially selected company of London entertainers. Films of Hackenschmidt’s recent contests will also form part of this interesting entertainment. The box plans open at Wildman and Arey s to-day. , r The inspiring and prodigious physique of George Hackenschmidt fascinated Bergas, the famous German sculptor, to such an extent that he made the mighty Russian, many tempting monetary offers to remain in the German capital for a period and sit, or rather stand, for studies of the ancient masters. Bergas completed one heroic statue of Hackenschmidt, as “Prometheus Bound,” beside which, it is said, even the classic Hercules no longer appears gigantic. Hackenschmidt’s father was -German, and his mother Swedish. He was born in the city of Jurief, in the Baltic provinces of Russia, on July 20, 1877. After graduating from the local gymnasium he went to St. Petersburg to ■study civil engineering at the university, but at this time he. defeated Paul Pons, champion wrestler of the world. Since then he has thrown all the Terrible Turks, Ferocious Frenchmen, Itinerant Irishmen, Burly Britons, Doughty Dutchmen, Bulging Belgians, Grinding Germans, Roaring Russians, Insistent Italians, Sly Spaniards and Awful Americans who came to his hands. ‘ "• • Hackenschmidt maintains that to be born strong and keep strong, heavy weight lifting is the only proper method of development. The modtern dumb-bell is, in the Russian’s opinion, a toy which merely creates a temporary strength, but in the handling of suitably strong weights, natural strength—real power —is established, and is one of the forms genius takes when it expresses itself physically. These and other feasible contentions are thrashed out: in Hackenschmidt’s work on physical development, just to hand from the London publishers.