“THE GONDOLIERS”

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 112, 5 February 1941, Page 6

“THE GONDOLIERS”

Gilbert And Sullivan Comic Opera EARLY PERFORMANCES (By H.P.) Once more bills announce the coming performance in Wellington of Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera "The Gondoliers' bv the latest Williamson company. This deliciously gay and inconsequent opera is said to have been suggested Io the resourceful William Sebwenek Gilbert by two factors, one the more or less continuous propaganda favouring the socialist state, and the other the spell created in the mind of Londoners by the scenic spectaele, "Venice in London,” The rest was Gilbert's genius, and Sullivan’s magic power of clothing it in the correct musical tints. ‘‘The Gondoliers” is 52 years old ; yet today it plays without a creak. Produced originally at the Savoy Theatre, London, mt December 7, 1889, it ran to 559 performances. Since then it has been revived too many times to mention. Indeed, it may be said to be oue of the perpetual bills somewhere in the British Empire ami the United States of America. For the operas of Gilbert aud Sullivan are just as popular in the United States as in British countries. Possibly the oldest society iu the world devoted to these operas is the Philadelphian Savoyards, which produces an opera every y ear iu Philadelphia. It is now 41 years old For the last live years its choice has been “The Gondoliers,” which is produced on a scale no touring professional company could hope to emulate. Its sponsor during recent years has been the millionaire Du Pont, oue of America's feur hundred. According to one authority “The Gondoliers” is the only opera of the series which has been honoured with a “royal command.” This took place at Windsor Castle on March 6, IS9I, when the company from the Savoy Theatre, London. gave a performance of the sparkling work before a brilliant audience, which included the late Queen Victoria, the Empress Fredrick of Germany, aud all the members of the Royal Family then in England. AVliat Queen Victoria thought of the opera, which made fun of royalty, and in which oue of the characters sings—- “ When everybody’s somebody,

Then no one’s anybody,” is not recorded. It has been said, however that Gilbert’s caustic wit did not find great favour with Iler Majesty, and that accounts for a knighthood for him being withheld years after that honour had been bestowed upon his collaborator, Sir Arthur Sullivan. In the original cast Frank Wyatt was the Duke; Rosina Brandram, the Duchess ; Decima Moore, Casilda; Courtice Pounds, Marco; Rutland Barrington, Guiseppe; W. 11. Denny, Dou Alhambra; Geraldine Ulmar, Gianetta; aud Jessie Bond, Tessa. Lui was played by Wallace Brownlow, afterwards heard iu opera with the late Nellie Stewart.

Forty-five years ago Wellington saw the first professional performance, with a notable east. Howard Vernon was Dou Alhambra; Mr. George Lauri, the Duke; Elsie Cameron, the Duchess; Violet Varley and Flora Granpuner, Tessa and Gianetta respectively; ' Florrie Young, Casilda; Syd. Deane, Luiz;. Henry Bracy, Marco; and Charles Ryley, Guiseppe. This was an unforgettable cast, both for acting and singing. Later followed performances by the Pollard Opera Company, by children, mostly in their early ’teens. If my memory serves me right Alf. Stephens was the Duke, Emily Metcalfe, the Duchess; Lile Stephens, Tessa; May Beatty, Gianetta; Harry Quealy, Don Alhambra; Marion Mitchell (now Lady Davis, Auckland), Marco; Maud Beatty’, Guiseppe; and Nellie Wilson, Luiz. The first amateur performance of “The Gondoliers” in Wellington was given by the old Wellington Amateur Operatic Society, with the late W. D. Lyon as producer and actor-in-chief. He was a gifted Gilbertian, if ever there was one. On that occasion the late Sir Thomas Wilford was Don Alhambra ; Ettie Maginnity (later Ethel Morrison, of the professional stage), the Duchess; "W. Lyon, the Duke; E. J. Hill, Marco; George Parsons, Guiseppe; Leila Spiller, Tessa; and Jennie Sheen, Gianetta.

Then in 1918 a second amateur performance was given by a new society. In that east Zante Wood was the Duke of Plaza Toro; Trevor Forrest (Frank Lampen, radio announcer), Don Alhambra; H. W. IVood, Marco; the late Fred Twiss, Guiseppe ; Mrs. Walter Fuller, Cueilda; Mrs. Stewart-Dallas (Mabel Esquilnnt), the Duchess; Mr. Chas. Moore, Luiz; and Bathie Stewart and Helen Gard’ner, Tessa aud Gianetta. And now next week we are to be entertained once more by this colourful work, with many old friends “strutting their little hour” iu the stately balls ol’.Barataria. among them Ivan Menzies. Richard Watson, Evelyn Gardener, and Geoffrey Stroud. 'Phe charm of buoyaut youth will also be found among the newcomers, including attractive Viola Wilson.