COMIC OPERA SEASON

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22519, 29 September 1938, Page 4

COMIC OPERA SEASON

“THE DESERT SONG” BEGINS TO-MORROW NIGHT The outstanding musical play “Balalaika” will be presented for the last time by the J. C. Williamson Royal Comic Opera Company at the Theatre Royal to-night. The final appearances of the company will witness a magnificent revival of the tuneful, very picturesque and highly amusing comic opera “The Desert Song," which was a great success when it was originally staged in New Zealand. Unlike many musical plays of its kind, “The Desert Song” does not “date.” So uncanny was the judgment exercised in its construction and such is the theatrical guile in it, that it is as alive to-day as it was when it was first produced, and will be so years hence. Its lovely music seems to fit into its story ot romance, love, and adventure. It is said that Mr George Hancock sings and acts the role. of the Red Shadow with great distinction. Miss Violet Carlson, as Susan, and Mr Don Nicol,- as Benjamin Kid, have introduced clever and deft touches which have enriched the humour tremendously.'Miss Diana Ducane sings the music allotted to the part of Margot delightfully, and Gaston Mervale, Yvonne Banvard, Hori Thomas, Gwen Brown, Clifford Cowley, Sydney Wheeler, Douglas Herald, and Dorothy Dunckley are among the others who have helped to make the revival of “The Desert Song” even more successful than the original representation. The play will be presented for three nights with the only matinee performance on Saturday afternoon. The season will definitely end on Monday night