THE BEGGAR’S OPERA

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 55, 29 November 1923, Page 9

THE BEGGAR’S OPERA

“The Beggar’s Opera” is to be produced for the first time in New Zealand at the Grand Opera House on Saturday next. It has proved more than an artistic success m London, where’ it lias bc-m running for three years and is naw chasing the records of the four that are ahead of it, among them “Tho Maid of the Mountains and “Chu Chin Chow.” Frederick Ranalow, the distinguished singer, whose Captain Macheath delighted lovers of “The Beggar’s Opera” for years tells interestmglv of how it was started again: “I well remember an evening, now more than two years ago, when a small party gathered in Nigel Playfair’s room, at the Lyric, Hammersmith, after a performance of ‘As You Like It.’ There were present about a dozen people connected with the theatre. ‘As You Like It’ was to be taken off. and ‘The Beggar’s Opera to take its place. Plavfair put the inevrtaWe question: ‘How lone will it run?’ Most of us hedged a little. It is never becoming in an actor to be too optimistic in there matters. But a young journalist who was present said ‘I give it six weeks. Playfair, on your preliminary publicity alone.t ” It is now in its fourth voar in London. It has never yet, in the 200 years of its history, had a failure. Never have playgoers seen such an antique curiosity. The art atmosphere is admirably sustained by the orchestra and the singers. A well-balanced cast will include Mr. Hilton Osobme, Mr. Rog. Reberts. Miss Pauline Bindlev, Mr. Charles Mettam. Mr. George Willoughby. The box plans open this morning for tho season at the Bristol.