"THE ARCADIANS."

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 302, 22 December 1933, Page 3

"THE ARCADIANS."

• i To-morrow afternoon and evening, at His Majesty's Theatre, the new J.C.W. Comic Opera Company, numbering 70 artists, will make its first apparance here in one of the world's best-known and most popular musical comedies, "The Arcadians." For tuneful melodies, clever dialogue, humorous scenes and situations, whimsical characterisations, picturesque stage settings and frocks, exquisite ballets and ensembles, "The Arcadians" has never been excelled in comic opera. It is accompanied by Lionel Monckton's music. Miss Romola Hansen (principal soprano) and Herbert Browne (leading tenor) have on previous occasions delighted New Zealanders in a number of successful musical plays, including "New Moon," "The Desert Song" and "The Belle of New York," and they are both said to be at their best in "The Arcadians." Don Nicol was engaged to portray the role of Peter Doody, the lugubrious jockey, which character, it is said, he represents to the very life. His humorous rendering of "Always Merry and Bright" invariably has to be repeated again and again. Another sterling comedian, Phil Smith, is certain to receive a welcome from playgoers, through recollections of his outstanding performance as Tonio in the original production of "The Maid of the Mountains." The principal baritone is Eric Bush, and the comedienne is Marie La Varre. Miss Lois Green and Miss Stella Collier are two talented j'oung Australian actresses, who are making their first appearance here. Others in the cast are Oliver Peacock. Charles Albert and Mona Zeppel, who will be remembered for her acrobatic dancing in "Blue Roses." The company includes a full operatic orchestra and chorus and a talented ballet.