HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1489, 7 November 1918, Page 32

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

"FLORODORA.” There was a very good house at His Majesty’s on Saturday night when the first performance of “Florodora” was given by Auckland amateurs, under the auspices of the Women’s Mutual Aid Society, in aid of the Soldiers’ Hostel. Influenza had left its mark there with no uncertain note, and prior to the opening Miss Daphne Knight craved the indulgence of the audience. Miss Mabel Oliver, who was cast for the important part of Lady Holyrood, was taken seriously ill early in the evening, and at a quarter to seven Mrs. M. M. McCallum was rung up and generously consented to step into the breach, a gracious act that was recognised with a storm of applause on that lady’s entrance. In spite of the handicap of having to read her lines, Mrs. McCallum brought her natural resourcefulness and elocutionary talent to bear, and succeeded in giving a pleasurable delineation of the quick-witted Lady Holyrood. Miss Lalla Knight made a thoroughly adequate Dolores, singing with much charm and infusing the requisite ardour into her characterisation. Her songs, “The Silver Star of Love” and “The Queen of the Phillipine Islands,” were delightfully given. Mr. Frank Constant as Abercoed used a light baritone voice to pleasing effect, giving an artistic rendering of “The Shade of the Palm.” The droll Tweedlepunch was handled by Mr. Wallace Atkinson, who scored a good many laughs with his vagaries. Miss Myrtle Hillyer was bright and sparkling as Angela Gilfain, and comported herself creditably on the vocal side. Mr. W. Meredith was thoroughly at home as Arthur Donegal, and Mr. Rex Yates made a picturesque Leandro. A popular number was “I Want to Marry a Man, I Do,” by Mrs. McCallum, Mr. Atkinson and Miss Hilyer. The sextette “Tell Me Pretty Maiden” was naturally in great favour, the girls looking very smart in distinctive black and white frocks of taffetas and net, topped with large black hats edged with white and long streamers of black velvet. The fact that several of the cast were anything but word perfect, it was sincerely hoped to remedy at the following performances. The success on the musical side was due to the energies of Mr. Leo Whittaker. Outstanding features of the production were the ballets under Miss Daphne Knight’s direction, the grace and precision of the dancers being notable. The ballet consisted of Misses Anita Webster, Undine Moeller, Lois Brierly, Rosa Sachs, Grace Fenton, Ruby Shirriffs, Marion Webb, Myrtle Shirriffs, Grace Dawd, Beryl Taylor, Zoe Moore, Elsie Tate. To-night (Wednesday) will be the final performance.