LIGHT OPERA SEASON

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22137, 6 July 1937, Page 7

LIGHT OPERA SEASON

GLADYS MONCRIEFF AND STRONG COMPANY

BOX PLANS TO OPEN ON THURSDAY

Many years have passed since Franz Lchar's graceful and lively Viennese opera, "The Merry Widow," which is to be presented by Gladys Moncriefi and J. C. Williamson's Comic Opera Company at the Theatre Royal on Monday night next, first sparkled behind the footlights. It is just 30 years since Lily Elsie and Joseph Coyne made a sensational success in the leading roles in .London, and not quite so since the opera was first Heard .n New Zealand (with Florence Young and Andrew Higginson as Sonia and Danilo), where it at once repeated its success of other parts of the world. That this work should be selected as the opening production of the approaching season demonstrates the vitality of Lehar's beauthul operetta, and the entire confidence of the management in its capacity to attract. Thuy are sound grounds as long as they have an actress and vocalist giited enough to grace the role of Sonia, for it is on this part that most of the opera depends. In Gladys Moncriefi is an artist who is almost ideally suited to the role. Sonia, a wealthy widow, is sophisticated and a matured woman of the world, with a very sure idea of what and whom she wants, and in that respect Miss Moncriefi "is to the manner born," arid her dulcet, full-toned, velvety voice fills every vocal demand. Only four evening performances and an afternoon on Wednesday can be staged of 'The Merry Widow," and on Friday next and the four following evenings, With a matinee on Saturday afternoon, "The Maid of the Mountains" will be produced. The box plans for the season will be opened on Thursday morning at 9 o'clock. A Queue will be formed from 8 a.m. N -