OPERA SEASON

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22142, 12 July 1937, Page 19

OPERA SEASON

OPENING PERFORMANCE TO-NIGHT

GLADYS MONCRIEFF IN "THE MERRY WIDOW" To-night at the Theatre Roval. beginning at 8 o'clock. J. C. Williamson. Ltd., will present Australia and New Zealand's most popular comic opera sonrano. Miss Gladys Moncrieff, together with a splendid company of singers, dancers, and comedians 'in a grand gala performance of the exquisite and immortal operetta. "The Merry Widow." which is probably the most' successful and most pcpu'ar musical play the stage has ever produced. Miss Moncrieff and the members of the company arrived frcm Wellington yesterday, the boat having been detained until after Saturday night's performance there. It is said that the company was accorded the most enthusiastic farewell ever given a theatrical attraction, and so great was the demand for seats that many were unable to gain admission to the final performance of the company in Wellington.

Although the booking for the season here is large, it is very evenly distributed over the nine nights, so that seats in central positions in either the dres3 circle or reserved stalls for this evening's opening welcome gala performance of "The Merry Widow" or for subsequent representations of Franz Lehar's delightful opera may be selected at the D.I.C. until 5 o'clock, and afterwards the plans will be en view at the Theatre Royal. It may safely be stated that never has Miss Moncrieff been mere popular in New Zealand than she is today, and it is also safe to predict that she will receive a royal welcome from

playgoers when she appears to-night in the role of Sonia (the merry widow). This part gives the famous prima donna every opportunity to excel herself, both as a fine singer and a finished actress, and in Wellington no less than three encores were de : man t;d for her rendering of the well known soprano solo "Villia." As an actress she rises to extreme heights in the dramatic finale to the second act of "The Merry Widow." There is probably no better comedian on the operatic stage to-day than Cecil .Kellaway, and playgoers will be genuinely sorry to learn that he has accepted an offer from a big American picture corporation, and he is to leave for Hollywood at the end of the present tour. Mr Kellaway will appear as Baron Popoff in "The Merry Widow," a part that gives him almost unlimited opportunities for creating genuine amusement. Don Nicol, who will again please with his whimsical characterisation of the part of Nisch, made himself tremendously popular here as the waiter in "White Horse Inn." Eric Bush has on a previous occasion appeared in the important role of Prince Danilo, and his splendid appearance, his virile personality, his rich baritone voice, and his excellent dancing makes his performance stand out. Mr Arthur Clarke, who will appear as de Jolidon, has a fine tenor voice, and he is an accomplished actor. Miss Isobel Cue, a dainty ycung Australian comedienne, will appear in the vivacious role of Frou Frou, and Miss Carmen Mascagni, a talented soprano singer, will take the role of Natalie. Others in the cast are Leslie Crane, who will appear as Olga, Gerald Connolly as De St. Brioche, Cecil Pawley as Cascada, Peter Dawson as Novikovich, Leslie Donaghey as the waiter, and lan Devereaux as Khadja. A full operatic chorus and orchestra are under the direction of Mr Fred Quintrell, and Mr Harry Short is me stage manager. Only tour evening performances can be staged of "The Merry Widow," and a special matinee will be presented on Wednesday afternoon. On Friday next and four following nights, and on Saturday afternoon next, "The Maid of the Mountains" will be produced. The box plans tor the whole ot the season are now open.