"LILAC TIME"

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22016, 13 February 1937, Page 7

"LILAC TIME"

♦ • SCHUBERT'S ENTRANCING MELODIES OPERA SEASON AT THEATRE ROYAL A notable success was achieved by the J: C Williamson company in its presentation at the Theatre Royal last night of "Lilac Time," the. opera that embodies some of the most beautiful of Schubert's delightful melodies. And with this entrancing music is a very appealing and wistful story of Schubert's hopeless love. The musical strength of the company was well up to the standard it has set in its presentation of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas, and without exception the dramatic ability of all the leading players was at its best. The story of Schubert is one of the most pathetic in the history of music. Few composers have written so rapidly and so steadily. His magnificent song. "The Erl King," was written when he was only 18, but he had a great struggle to interest the public

iii his work; Although contemporary fame came to him, it did hot bring him the material success to place him beyond the reach of poverty, and he died young—at the age of 31. It is the knowledge of this that gives a deeper beauty to the music of "Lilac Time," and the appeal of the opera is the greater because of the bittersweet romance that runs through it The story of the opera is _ one of an unselfish love. Too timid to declare his love, Schubert allows himself to be robbed of his happiness by a friend; and when he sees that his passion is hopeless he devotes himself to smoothing out the troubles of his friend so that the romance may not be broken. No more delightful music than that in the opera could be desired as an accompaniment for the story. It may be commented here that the first re-r action to the appearance . of Ivan Menzies as Schubert is of regret that a more talented singer had not been given this role. There, is not a great deal of melody in his singing, and the lovely numbers for this character —the first solo, for example, "Hark, Hark, the Lark"—demand a richness and purity of singing tone that Mr Menzies does not possess. But very quickly that regret is changed to admiration for a consummate artist Dramatically his performance was all that could be desired. Those who have seen him as Jack Point in "The Yeomen of the Guard" know his capacity as a tragedian: There are some patrons of the theatre—they must bej many—who will argue confidently i that his tragedy excels his comedy, and his dramatic work in "Lilac Time" is sound material for supporting their contention. In every detail of the company's work was there much to provoke the keenest enthusiasm. It was surely a triumph. The opera was a charming revival, and one can only commend the management's decision to stage it for three nights. The costuming of the early nineteenth century made an exquisite picture of the stage, the production was smooth where it

should be smooth and lively when vitality was needed, there was dainty, graceful dancing, and witty comedy. The music is so well known that it might seem unnecessary to make any comment about it, but in fairness to • the players one must refer to the success of" such numbers as the quintet, "Underneath the Lilac sung by Ivan Menzies, Vin- - cent McMurray, Clifford Cowley, * Frank Bermingham, and. Gregory.' Stroud; the duet, "A Kiss in the ■' Rhyme of it," between Helen Langton and Mr Menzies, and the lovely - waltz song, "Flower Dust,", sung by the same pair: the "Y.odel Song," by. Evelyn Hall and Bernard Manning,, and. the solo by Mr Menzies, "Light Out of Heaven," with the sweet music of Schubert's' famous lullaby running through it There was too, - the serenade sung with fine restraint by Mr Stroud, and another feature, was the -children's ballet in the second act danced delicately to the' music of the "Moment Musical" A' feature of a production conspicuous for the excellence of the acting was the performance of Eileen Kelly as the swaggering . adventuress , who: brought ruin to Schubert's'hopes. "Lilac Time" wfll be presented again to-night and on Monday night "The Mikado" will be presented at the matinee to-day, commencing at 2 p.m.