WILLIAMSON’S GILBERT AND SULLIVAN CO.

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 60, 4 December 1926, Page 6

WILLIAMSON’S GILBERT AND SULLIVAN CO.

farewell tour. The return seasons of the J. C. Williamson Ltd. Gilbert a.nd . Sullivan Comic Opera Company in Christchurch and Wellington proved even more successful than the original ones in those cities and it is expected that the approaching Wellington farewell season will be very successful. Theatregoers of Napier, Hastings, Palmerston North and Masterton have signified their appreciation of the return to those centres by file Williamson company by inundating the box office with requests for seats and there is every indication that a record hooking will happen when the plans are opened next week. “The Yoemen of the Guard” is one of the most popular ot the Gilbert and Sullivan operas and in it the present organisation is presented at its best. Miss Strella Wilson is fine as Elsie Maynard, the music of which gives this brilliant soprano every opportunity. Mr. Charles Walenn is in his element as Jack Point and so is Mr. John Ralston as Wilfred Shadbolt. “The Yoemcn of the Guard” will be staged at Napier on Thursday night next, at Hastings on Friday next, and at Palmerston North on Saturday night next. Tbe company will stage "The Gondoliers” at Masterton on Monday, December 13, and the return farewell season in Wellington will begin on Tuesday, December 14, when "The Gondoliers” will be staged for this one final occasion. James Hay’s singing of "Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes” will be again welcome, and Miss Strella Wilson’s glorious voice will ba heard in the music allotted the role of Casilda. Mr. Charles Walenn will again delight with his whimsical interpretation of the Duke of Plaza-Toro, and Mr. John Ralston will appear bore tor the first time as tbe Grand Inquisitor. On Wednesday (afternoon and evening), December 15, "Tbe Yoemen of the Guarcl” will be staged, and on Thursday night, December 16, "lolanthe” will be produced. On Friday, December 17, "H.AI.S-" Pinafore” (preceded bv "Trial by Jury”) will be presented, and on Saturday (afternoon and evening), December 18, "’The Mikado” will be performed The final night of the tour will he Monday, December 20, when "The Pirates of Penzance” will be staged. A big feature of all the operas is the work of the chorus under the direction of Mr. Gustav Slapoffski. The box plans for the Wellington season will be opened at the Bristol on Friday morning next at nine o'clock. A queue will be formed from 8 a.m.