GILBERT AND SULLIVAN OPERAS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 113, 6 February 1941, Page 9

GILBERT AND SULLIVAN OPERAS

The Wellington season of J. C. Williamson’s Gilbert and Sullivan opera company will open at the Opera House on Wednesday night with a brilliant production of the comic opera “The Gondoliers,” which will be staged for five nights and on Saturday afternoon, February 15. ‘•The Gondoliers” will be followed on Tuesday and Wednesday nights and AVednesday afternoon, February IS and 19, by “The Pirates of Penzance,” which will be preceded by “Trial by Jury.” “The Yeomen of the Guard,” staged for three nights, “lolauthe,” for three nights, “The Mikado” /or four nights and "H.AI.S. Pinafore,” will then follow. Every five years or so the J. C. AVilliamson management sends an accredited Gilbert and Sullivan company of high standard through the Dominion. Thousands of ardent Gilbert and Sullivan devotees eagerly look forward to its coming ; indeed, by many of the older generation each fresh visit is remembered as a milestone on life’s highway, and each makes new converts among the younger folk, no matter ho wstrong modern music may have a grip on their affections.

The AA’illiamson directors were evidently most fortunate in their selection of artists for the principal characters in “The Gondoliers,” as critics in Auckland were unanimous in declaring that they are the best that have been enjoyed in it for many years. The inimitable London comedian, Ivan Menzies, is irresistibly humorous in his whimsical characterization of the Duke of Plaza Toro, and he aels in perfect unison with Miss Evelyn Gardiner, who will delight audiences as the Duchess of Plaza Toro. Richard Watson and Gregory Stroud will again appear in their presentations of the Grand Inquisitor and Guiseppe, and Vincent McMurray will take thy part of Antonio., Miss Viola AVilsou is one of England’s best sopranos. Mr. John Fullard's singing of “Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes” created a furore of enthusiasm in Auckland. Miss Sara Gregory, soubrette. -Miss Peggy Shea, mezzo. Miss Phyllis Curnow, soprano, Bernard Manning and Maxwell Oldaker are talented artists.