GILBERT AND SULLIVAN OPERAS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 111, 4 February 1941, Page 10

GILBERT AND SULLIVAN OPERAS

Exceptional interest is being taken in tlie appearance at the Opera House on Wednesday, February 12, of J. C. Williamson’s Gilbert and Sullivan Comic Opera Company, comprising more than 80 people, which will begin a brief season in a brilliant production of the entrancing and picturesque opera, “The Gondoliers.” It will be presented with new and elaborate dresses and sceuery, and will be sung aud acted by what is claimed to be the best aggregation of comic opera artists to appear in the works of the beloved collaborators for many years.

Only five evening performances can be staged of ‘'The Gondoliers,” and an afternoon presentation will be given on Saturday, February 15. On Tuesday and Wednesday nights and Wednesday afternoon, February 18 and 19, “The Pirates of Penzance” will be revived, and on Thursday, February 20, the two following evenings, and on Saturday afternoon, February 22, “The Yeomen of the Guard' will be produced. On Monday, February 24, the two following evenings and on Wednesday afternoon, February 26, “lolanthe” will be staged, and it will be followed on Thursday, February 27, by “The Mikado,” which will be presented for four nights and at a matinee on Saturday, March 1. The final production will he “11.M.5. Pinafore,” which will be preceded by ‘‘Cox and Box,” and which will be revived on Tuesday, March 4, the following evenings, and on Wednesday afternoon, March 5. Ivan Menzies is undoubtedly one of the finest Gilbertinn comedian known in New Zealand, and Evelyn Gardiner is still regarded as the leading London Savoy Theatre contralto. Special interest will be taken in the appearance of the new members of the company, including Viola Wilson, John Fullard, Peggy Shea, Sara Gregory, Phyllis Curnow, Mnxwell Oldaker, and playgoers will welcome the reapeparance of Gregory Stroud, Richard Watson, Bernard Manning, and Vincent McMurray.