COMIC OPERA SEASON

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2373, 1 February 1915, Page 7

COMIC OPERA SEASON

"TEE YEOMAN OF THE GUARD" OR "THE MERRY MAN AND HIS MAID." "The Yeoman of tho Guard," a comic opera, in two acts, by Sir W. S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan. Principal characters: —

Sir Bicliard Cholmondeley ... Prank Wilson Colonel Fairfax Edward M'Keown Sergeant Meryll 0. VilHers Arnold .Leonard Jloryll Edward Wynne Jack Point Chas. 11. WoJcun Wilfred SUadbolt Arthur Kavanocb Phoobo Mcryll Katio May Elsie Jfaynnrd Peiirl Ixidd Damo Oaxruthers-. Ethel Morrison "The, Yeoman of tho Guard," which was presented by tho Williamson Comic Opera Company to a largo audience at the Grand Opera Mouse on Saturday evening, represonts the gifted Gilbert and Sullivan combination in a different voiu from that which inspired the sparkling brilliance and irresponsible gaiety of "Tho Gondoliers," for hero is comedy shadowed by tragedy, a morry song followed by a broken melody, the light and graceful allegro for tripping feet sharply limned in its striking contrast to the full, broad largo of swelling strains as the tragic note is struck. It is a seriocomic study of human nature in light and ■ shade, and tho genius of Gilbert has conceived for its enactment a grim, almost fantastic setting—a courtyard'in the precincts of the Tower of London, the frowning turrets of which look remorsolessly down upon the players, as if to remind these frail mortals of that far-off sixteenth century era that the tenure of their lives is a matter immediately connected with tho caprice of kings, and that the path of the erring leads inevitably to tho torture chamber,'the block, the headsman, the axe: a dour place, where:

"The screw may twist cmd .the rack may turn, •■'•,,. And men may bleed, . and. men may burn."

As the story goes, Colonel Fairfax, a brave Englishman with a. taste for philosophy, has been imprisoned in the Tower for dabbling in alohemy—a "Black Art," in thosedays, inspired by the Devil, and branding upon its students 'the mark of the everlastingly damned. . He lias but an hour, to live, and in that dark hour much happens. Ho has a whim to marry before be dies, and offers a hundred crowns for I a bride of an hour. Elsie Maynard, a [ strolling -player, in need of money, after j being assured that her husband will inevitably die, is blindfolded, and Fairfax, also blindfolded, is married to her, the marriage being also assented to by her lover, Jack Point, a jester, also on the distinct understanding that the bridegroom does not live. Meanwhile, the Sergeant of the Guard, Sergeant Meryll, who has fought under Fairfax in the wars, and owed his life to him, otters to sacrifice his own son in order to facilitate the escape of the condemned man. Leonard Meryll assumes the cell and impending fate of Colonel Fairfax, who becomes a Yeoman or the Guard. The plot succeeds, Phoebe Meryll steals the Tower keys from,her infatuated admirer, Wilfred Shadbolt, the turnkey—an ill-favoured-looking scoundrel—and the prisoner subsequently escapes.' Shadbolt, to retrieve bis lapse, swears that he shot the escapee as he attempted to cross the river, and that his victim sank "like a stone." lien a reprieve, delayed on the way, arrives for the real Fairfax, with whom, by the'way, Elsie has fallen in lovo —and he with her—in blissful ignorance of the fact that they are already married, and there is a happy culmination for all concerned, save poor Jack Point. The shock kills him, and, the. curtain .fells on a. tragedy.',';..;,. '."•!'." _~', -The first performance by the "Williamson Company oh Saturday evening left a pleasant impression on the mind. Mr. Charles Walenn, as Jack Point, "the Merry Man,", and Miss Pearl Ladd as Elsie Maynard, "his maid," were the central figures of the story, as befitted the title. Mr. Walenn gave an excellent and restrained interpretation of his exacting role, and never at any time overdid the comedy. His .quips and cranks were effectively delivered, and his songs were sung as accorded with the part, while his tragic end was a good piece of artistio work. Miss Pearl Ladd-had a strong part to play, it suited her, and her work did her no small credit. Her singing was tinged with just the right hue of dramatic colour, and in her scene with Colonel Fairfax, when, as Leonard Meryll, he pleads with her to cast aside the bonds of the hour marriage, she was excellent. Mr. Edward M'Keown had a task to his liking in the role, of Colonel Fairfax, and his fine tenor voice enhanced a part which would easily have suffered by less capable singing. Mr. G. V. Arnold, as Sergeant Meryll, had a responsible role, and filled it well—a thoroughly conscientious piece of work, marked- by singing of pleasing and artistic quality. The role of Wilfred Shadbolt, "head gaoler .and assistant tormenter," was filled by Mr. Albert Kavanagh, whose gloomy truculence and boorish love-making, alternating with bursts of humour such a 6 one might expect to hear from a frivolous cannibal, served to sustain and animate the spirit of the Tower. Mr. Kavanagh's was a good piece of work. His lovemaking scene with Phoebe Moryll was perhaps just a shade too farcioal for the general tone of the opera. But it wmj ludicrous and entertaining. Mr. Frank Wilson, as Sir Richard Cholmondeley, Lieutenant of the Tower, was not heavily burdened. The gloom of the Tower seemed to have settled upon his soul, for the palpable hits of Point, the jester, drew not' a smile. Miss Katie May made a lively Phoebe Meryll, and in. her sallies with Shadbolt made a morry foil to her gloomy admirer. As Dame Caxruthers, Miss Ethel Morrison (Miss Maginnity) was admirably suited, and gave an excellent study of the elderly dame who was "born in the Tower, lived all her life in the Tower, and hoped to die in the Tower." As Leonard .-Meryll, Mr. Edward Wynne had a email part, which he filled conscientiously. His singing voice was not op .to the demands of the role, however. .

the opera, which is produced by Mr. Richard Wcathersby (from the Savo.v companies, London), will be repeated this and to-morrow evening. On Wednesday next the melodious fairy opera "lolanthe" will be revived.