WILLIAMSON'S OPERA COMPANY

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21090, 15 February 1934, Page 6

WILLIAMSON'S OPERA COMPANY

"THE MKltllY WIDOW" The J. C. Williamson New Comic Opera Company will present "The Merry Widow" at the Theatre Royal for the last time to-night. "The Merry Widow" depends almost entirely on 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 each 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 plays the title role in '"The Merry Widow." 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.

"THE ARCADIANS" The second production to be staged by the J. C. Williamson, Ltd. Company to-morrow and Saturday night, and Saturday afternoon, will be the very entertaining musical comedy, "The Arcadians," which has everywhere proved one of the most successful of the plays in the company's repertoire. The music of Lionel Monckton and Howard Talbot in "The Arcadians" is dehciously tuneful and it is still popular with playgoers the world over. The story of "The Arcadians" is original, the dialogue is witty and clever, and the author has created an abundance ol clean and wholesome comedy scenes and situations for the comedians. The plot of "The Arcadians" is well known. James Smith, a caterer of no mean repute, takes to the air, and his wanderings in that unsubstantial element, together with an accident to the aeroplane, eventually land him in Arcadia, the Land of Truth. His sudden descent into another world-the world of idealists—places him in a rather unfortunate predicament. At first Smith is incapable of comprehending the existence of the Arcadians, but having been dipped in their Well of Truth, he is transformed into one of their number and assumes their weird apparel, but finds it difficult to adapt himself to their mannerisms. With the assistance of Father Time, however, he is sent forth to convert the inhabitants of the mundane sphere into a higher tvpc of being. Eventually Sombra decides to take him back to London, to convert the lalsehood-ioving "monsters" living there. The pair, with Sombra's friend. Chrysoa, drop upon London society at the Ask wood races, where they meet, among other people, the lugubrious jockey Peter Doody, which part was i played in the original production her;' by Mr Tom WalK On Monday and Tuesday ni"hts next "Wildllower" will be produced, and on Wednesday afternoon and evening next, and the; following three nights, and d!i Saturday afternoon. February '!>. "Floradora" will be presented. On Monday. February 2'i, and following ;lwo nights, and on Wednesday afternoon. February 27!. "A Country Girl" will be performed. The box plans for I the whole of the season are now o:i 1 view at the Bristol Piano Company.

ATIILKTITS N.Z. CHAaIIMONSIUI'S AT WELLINGTON cam i:i:i!( n\ tkam dki-aims 'i'lii: Canterbury representative athletic team left Christch'srch iasl cvenir:;; for the New Zealand track and lield championships .at Wellington tomorrow and on Saturday. The team consists of 20 athletes, with Mr K. Todd as manaexr. Advice has been received in Christchurch that. 11. W. Milncr i University) will be pcrmiliod to run for Canterbury. The Otacy> Centre nominated Milncr and lias protested against his inclusion in the Canterbury team, but apparently the protest has not been sustained. K. Holder (Westport), who was to have run for Canterbury in the 2'JO yards hurdles, has dejided not to make the journey. Mr J. A. Gasson will represent Canterbury with Mr Todd at the annual conference of delegates from the six centres. The team will return to Chrischurch by the Wahine, Icavini; Wellington on Saturday ni.qht. MARSHLAND CLUB'S SPORTS Tim f.illo'.vinc handicaps h.-ivn t.ffn <!,■■ rlarrd for 111,' open rvrllts fit (111" M;lr>ll!lllld Amateur Sports Club's i.i.H'tin- o.i Saturday; OI'K.V K VENTS. limi Yards fip.-n First heal.: C. V. Alv.o •U>ds, li. Collislur fivds, I). Smith 7vc]« ' A Hull 7j(ls, .1. <:. I'ahc-v 7v,| K , .M. ilr pj Byds, K. O'Coimoll Byds, A. X. Thomas H)y,ls. Second Lent: C. S. P.nrrell -IU.N. K. Uc.lmtisoii lUyds, IT. Miles 7vds. K fi'lain 7yds. ('. Kirk 7Jy.l.s, I, I :. Hi,hards *■.(!> C. Kerr Pyds, C. I). Mum lOvils. 2L'O Yiirds Onrii -Kirst hr.-it : C! S liar roll tlyds, J;. Collislcr JL'vds, 10. Kobinsoti Klyds, A. Hull I.lyds, C. Kirk llvds, K. tVComioll I'iyds. C. Kerr 17viN " A X Thomas 20yds. Second 1i.. ; , t : (.'. V. Alveo !>yds. C. li. Clark I'Jyds, 11. Miles I4vds, K. Blair, 11yds, M. Mnonev 1. r ,vds, l/ C Richards Kiyds, C. I). u Mrn " 20yds. BS|> Yards Open— K. l.'ohinson dovds V, nitiin 4.-.ydK, G. (Joode 4.',vds. 11.' Miles fiftyds. V. K. To/or 05yds, 11. Kingston Tfivrls, M. Monney 70yds, L. C. Kichurds 7(l'vds, I). Neale, nOyds, A. N. Thomas JOtlyds.