HIS MAJESTY’S.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1365, 22 June 1916, Page 32

HIS MAJESTY’S.

“THE GEISHA.”

On Tuesday night an amateur performance of “The Geisha” was given at His Majesty’s Theatre, Auckland. Its success is convincingly evident from the fact that after a run of three nights this week with packed houses the performers have been asked to give two performances next week. In staging this opera for the •benefit of the Russian Fund very great credit is due to Mrs. E. Sutherland, who so ably and successfully directed the whole performance, and the Victoria League, .who are responsible for the entertainment, are to’ be congratulated on securing such a clever band of artists. The opera itself is always a popular one, both on account of its bright and pretty music and its very effective staging and dressing. Miss Wheeler was a most charming and fascinating Mimosa San and her voice is beautifully clear and sweet. In her first solo, that of the plaintive goldfish, she won the hearts of the audience, and throughout the performance the little Geisha girl gained great applause, particularly with her singing of that haunting little melody “The Jewel of Asia.” Miss Ruby Mackenzie, as Molly Seamore, proved to be a decidedly clever actress, and is the happy possessor of a most pleasing voice. The bright and breezy English girl, whose lover falls a victim to the fascinations of the Geisha, was splendidly portrayed, and the solos were • well suited to Miss Mackenzie’s voice. Juliette Diamant, the French maid, was a great success, the part being taken by Miss Elsie Nicholas, who was very Frenchy and captivating. Mrs. Matheson, as Lady Constance Wynne, was quite at home in her part, and Miss Ella Tucker, Miss Nita Menzies and Miss Cummings most pleasingly represented her guests, the English ladies. Miss Muriel Brown is an exceedingly clever dancer, and with Mr. C. D. Binnington, who is also a skilful exponent of the art, gave a very quaint and pretty Japanese dance. Mr. L. Keven, who took the part of Mr. Reginald Fairfax, has a splendid voice, which he used to great advantage, and his singing of “Star of My Soul” and “Molly Mine” were two of the most successful features of the performance. The part of Dick Cunningham was very well taken by Mr. Meredith, and Mr. Mervyn Smith, Mr. Norman Brett, and Miss N. Ifwerson as the mid-shipmen made very jolly sailors bold. Mr. Wallace Atkinson, who provided most of the comedy, was entirely successful as Wunhi and provoked much laughter and applause. Captain Katana (Mr. W. Cockerill) in his duet with Mimosa San scored a great success and is the possessor of a very fine and sympathetic voice. The choruses went well, and must have been the result of much strenuous work. The final ballet was most effective, and reflects great credit on Miss Daphne Knight, and the orchestra, under the direction of Mrs. Sutherland, did excellent work. Altogether the performance was a great success, and the repetition next week will be gladly looked forward to by the Auckland public.