Sigmund Romberg’s The Student Prince was a huge success when it premiered in New York in 1924.  It’s not hard to see why.  It’s an undemanding “love versus duty” plot with plenty of tuneful numbers and lots of drinking and drinking songs which must have had a particular appeal during Prohibition!

The current production by Toronto Operetta Theatre at the Jane Mallett Theatre plays it straight and makes the most of what’s there.  Guillermo Silva-Marin’s staging is unfussy and makes good use on occasion of the gallery like opportunities of the space.  But the real strength of the show lies in some fine performances.  Xavier Flory as Prince Karl Franz was a late replacement due to illness and comes with an unusual background; the Vienna Boys Choir and doctorates from Columbia and Sciences Po.  He’s also a rather fine tenor with matinee idol looks and he can act.  What more could one ask?  Well maybe a Kathie who can match him.  And we get one in young Brooke Mitchell.  She has a pleasing, if not terribly operatic, voice, she’s a very good actor and a terrific mover.  It’s a pretty good combo for operetta and it works beautifully here.

There are some other excellent performances.  Ryan Hofman captures the nostalgically sympathetic tutor, Doctor Engel, most convincingly.  Marcus Tranquilli leads the Saxon Student Corps with suitably bluff bonhomie and Minerva Lobato is extremely convincing in the rather sad role of the prince’s unloved betrothed.  One must also mention Karen Bojti who is a splendidly obnoxious Lutz; the prince’s pompous ass of a valet.  But really the whole cast performs admirably, especially in the choruses and drinking songs which provide some of the best music.

There’s a ten piece orchestra with Kate Carver conducting efficiently.  It’s big enough, and varied enough, to provide colour and appropriate volume for the relatively modest space.  All in all it’s a very enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours.

There’s one more chance to catch the show, today at 3pm.

Photo credits: Gary Beechey