WILLIAMSON'S OPERA COMPANY

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21088, 13 February 1934, Page 3

WILLIAMSON'S OPERA COMPANY

+ "THE MERRY WIDOW" Such an enthusiastic reception has been given to its first three performances of "The Merry Widow," that the J. C. Williamson Comic Opera Company seems assured of a successful season in Christchurch. "The Merry Widow," an old-established favourite, will be presented again to-night, tomorrow night, and on Thursday night, with a matinee to-morrow afternoon. It will be followed by other wellknown successes, "The Arcadians." "Wildflower," "Floradora," and "A Country Girl." "The Merry Widow" depends almost entirely 611 its music and its comedy. The plot is slender, the situations are not amusing in themselves, and there is no attempt at subtlety in the characterisation. Everything is left to the actors and to the choruses, but their opportunities are by no means restricted. The music, by Franz Lehar, has been well known for nearly 30 years, and the persistence of its popularity can well be understood in the light of Saturday's performance. The company must be one of the best the Williamson firm has ever brought to this country. The principals, headed by Miss Romola Hansen, are all outstanding, and the choruses have the depth and liveliness to be found only in well-trained and experienced singers. The staging is good and the settings elaborate. Miss Romola Hansen, who plays the title role in "The Merry Widow," finds her true method of expression in musical comedy such as this. Her singing voice is clear, sweet, and powerful, her speech is bright, her appearance is attractive, and her good humour is irrej pressible. She simply bubbles forth happiness and gaiety, and, in the part of the wealthy widow, she appears to move through coraedy, song, and love drama as though she enjoyed it all. Her gaiety is infectious; it is impossible to hear her and remain unaffected. Her singing of "Villia" is perhaps her most outstanding performance, but her dancing (with Mr Eric Bush) to the music of the Merry Widow waltz is at least as attractive. Other prominent members of the company are Mr Phil Smith and Mr Don Nicol, who share the honours of the comedy work; Mr Eric Bush, the' baritone of the company; and Mr Herbert Browne, tenor, and Miss Stella Collier, an actress and singer of accomplishment.