RUSSIAN OPERA COMPANY

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21512, 29 June 1935, Page 7

RUSSIAN OPERA COMPANY

SUBSIDY NEEDED FOR TOUR POSSIBILITY DISCUSSED BY SIR BENJAMIN FULLER "We think it possible that the Soviet Government will subsidise a Russian opera company to tour New Zealand.* said Sir Benjamin Fuller, in an interview yesterday. Sir Benjamin stated in Dunedin recently that Mr W. J. Douglas, one of the Fuller directors, was in Russia negotiating for a subsidy for a tour of the Dominion by an opera company He said yesterday that* the firm was taking advantage of the desire of the Soviet to advertise its recent cultural progress. "It would be impossible to bring a Russian company here unsubsidised," he said. "A Russian company has never before visited New Zealand or Australia. If the negotiations are successful, the company, will include « ballet, as no Russian show is complete without its ballet" Speaking of theatrical trends in general, Sir Benjamin said that there bid been lately a distinct revival of the popularity of "flesh-and-blood" entertainments, both in Australia and overseas. Although he had large cinema interests, he boped for a similar revival in New Zealand. As evident* of the revival in Australia, be mentioned that four different vaudeviU® companies would begin seasons in Melbourne to-day. In Dunedin Sir Benjamin made arrangements for , the projected alteration of His Majesty's Theatre for the production of stage pieces. He said yesterday that it was intended, if possible, to keep the St James' Theatrt in Christchurch open continuously with stage attractions.