WILLIAMSON COMIC OPERA COMPANY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18921, 9 February 1927, Page 6

WILLIAMSON COMIC OPERA COMPANY.

MARIE BIRKE IN "KATJA." Illi-L f HODCCTIOX TO-NIGHT. This evening, at the Theatre Ucynl. al S o'e : oci;. the •'. C. Williamson. Ltd., management will i-t'-scn! the brilliant comic opera nit:;:. Mi?? Marie Iturke. who on her last apecarauce scoied a. wondtriul triumph in ••tViUltlower," and a company of spccia'.lyF.npli'h and Australian musical tomedvaiiiUrmic opcia artists, in Hie latest J.iKio'nioniicopeia triumph. '■Katja," which has hut completed a record scajoii in WelSeats in central positions may be se'ected at The Bristol from nine o'clock this iiiori'.inu until five this evening, and •r'tc'v.ard* tiie phins will be on view at the Ti'oa'.'V Iloyal confectioner. - , whe.-o tickets fertile ha.*!: stalls and •;aUery may also be purchased. The fn't that to-night will «i-;naliso tho first anpearance of Miss Burke and lh« cnmpanv since they suffered flo ladly in tho disastrous Queensland railway accident, has, natuiallv, infused unusual interest in this evenincr's'repri-sent.ition, and a repetition <-f the enthusiasm with which they were Rieotrd in Aockland recently will probably happen to-ni'-ht. Miss Burke is eudo.ved with ',,, nncommoiilv attractive ste. ? o presence, a nillov.-v, svelte fitftirc, and a Rrac:on», pei•rnsive' pcrsonnlitv. Miss Burke is also a brilliant nclress. and she presses a soprano voice of ixcentioiml quality and .-ange. Critics <>f Australia and Auckland weie unanimous in declaring that she ha« scoied her best triumph in "Ku'.ja," which is apnrt that trav have been written :or this talented arti't. The noted youiif! London (omedian. Mr t!. Barretl-Lennard, will niake hi-t first apiearance here [his evening in the role of Lee.nder Billdroff, in which he has scored an .uilslandiiiß suecoss. He is » nr.iiuj! li?ht comedian, and li.s bi:rlcsqno dane'tiß one of tho fealnres of the production. That storlinjr chnracbr-romrdian, Mr Cecil Keltaway, who will be remembered for his splendid work in "The Cabaret Girl" mil "A Xight Out." is said to l.e innd cuteitninintj and amusing as Count O: pitch. Hiss Tlielmu Burnnii. tb- dninty Au.stralian comedienne, is said to htivo icoird her best success as I'at Orpitch. Mr Herbeit Browne, the ynuni; Australian lyiic tenor, has a splendid siniring part in l'rineo Carl, and Mr Xoel Daintor, a new English inli-'t wiil make his first appearance hero a, Ivo. Miss Bahettn Odeal, a brilliant iv>::nß soubiette and dancsr. wi'l r.i.ikc her first nppeiirance heie ns Maud. The cast a'«o ir.clti(iei Mr Charles Koli, Mr Fiiuik Hawlhorne. Mr Frank Leijhton. %*A Mr Norman Lane. "Katja" is hrimnllTiJ over with prcttv mchxlies, beautiful musical number.?, i', unfolds a romantic: and thrillinc; lov ( . storv, and the matrnificor.t sl:i;:e Beitinjis' and the Rorßeoun are special features of the opera, which was produced bv Mr Charles A. U'cnniiin. A full opcialie'oiehestra and cUnis nro .inder the direction of ?dr Harry Burton, and Mr -f. C. Xighliiißale is the sliijjc manager. AltoU'ethef there are over 80 people concerned in the piruuction of "Katja." The brevity of the season will • lily uermit of fix evening perforraanees of "Katja" slaßcd. but n matinee will be presented on Saturday next. "Wiidflowe; - ' will bo revived

en Wcdnesuav next and two following nights, ur.c on. Saturday, February 19th. the com)>.:nv will stage the first Australasian reduction of Franz Lchar's superb open, "Kias.r.iita."