MISS AMY MURPHY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, 31 December 1912, Page 21

MISS AMY MURPHY.

NEW ZEALAND’S PRIMA DONNA. To take liberties with the Old adage —a singer ■ does have honour in her own country sometimes. Miss .Amy Murphy (the - subject -of \.our frontispiece this issue) enjoys that distinction, which she ..earned during her last visit here, when as Nadina in “ The Chocolate Soldier,” she proved that she only had to be given the opportunity to grasp it. With laurels heaped on her in the Dominion, she

went on gathering them in Tasmania, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide —wherever her lot was cast. Other things she collected too. In Melbourne an admirer presented her with a beautiful Persian cat, and in Adelaide a canary in a cage was handed to her across the footlights. “A real-old maid’s outfit, wasn't it,’, laughed Miss. Murphy, “and I got a great reception at my home when I landed with.my menagerie!”

On the disbandment of the “Chocolate Soldier,” Miss Amy Murphy joined the present company, and followed up her previous successes. She makes her first re-appearance here in “Nightbirds,” taking the leading part of Countess Rosalinda. It is one of the old, old operas performed in Germany many years ago under the title of “Die Fliedermaus,” (The Bats). The libretto has been re-written, and is piquant and up-to-date. The “Champagne” opera, it has been called, which is sufficient to show its sparkle. “ I met a friend in Auckland who saw it in Germany 35 years ago,” sad Miss Murphy, “and I’m waiting to hear his verdict on the modern production. Such bright, vivacious music, both in solos and concerted items. It is bound to catch on here like it did in Sydney and Melbourne.” “What do I think of the Bunny-hug dance?”

“ Well it is one of the features of the piece. Miss Sybil Arundale and Mr. Edmund Sherras are two such perfect dancers and interpret each movement with such delicate artistry, that thej’ can transpose a suggestion into a symphony!” “ I wear some exquisite frocks in ‘Nightbirds’,” enthused the singer, who is feminine to a degree. “ But 1 have to do one startling thing on the stage in that connection! I have to get out of one dress in full view of the audience, and there I stand revealed in the glories of a Princess petticoat made ala directoire! It’s a lovely petticoat—cream lace lined with shell pink ninon” —she went on excusingly—“but still I feel very nervous over it!”

“1 fancy the audience will be able to stand the shock!” said the writer reassuringly, conjuring up an alluring vision.

“I seem doomed to shocks this trip,” continued the vivacious actress. “You know I take the name part in “Dorothy,” a character I played some time ago with the Wellington and Dunedin amateurs. Well in the duel scene I was accustomed to wearing a long coat buttoned up over the tights Which permitted me to overcome my aversion to the latter. Alas! There is no coat in “Dorothy” in this production! You know I have to say to Lydia (Miss Sybil Arundale) ‘Now then, Lydia, a little more confidence and a dash of bravado.’ My word, I need it all myself!”

And again the writer could assure Miss Amy Murphy that her charms would in no wise diminish!