“THE GONDOLIERS”

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 118, 12 February 1941, Page 9

“THE GONDOLIERS”

Opening In Wellington Tonight

That favourite comic opera, "Tlie Gondoliers,” will oe performed for the first time tonight in the Opera House. Wellington, by J. O. Williamson’s current Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company. Because of its interesting and romantic story, its joyous music and its wholesome comedy, “The Gondoliers,” which will end its season on Monday night, is splendid theatre entertainment; A matinee performance will be given on Saturday afternoon.

"The Gondoliers” revolves about the eelebra.ted Duke of Plaza Toro, and Ivan Menzies’ brilliant interpretation of this role has won for him a name second to none among the Gilbertian comedians seen uj New Zealand. Incomparable as the Duchess of Plaza Toro is Evelyn Gardiner. Gregory Stroud, baritone, and Richard Wa_tson, character-comedian, are old and popular acquaintances of New Zealand audiences, and they are at their best in the parts of Giuseppe and the Grand Inquisitor. Outstanding among the newcomers are Miss Viola Wilson, the leading soprano, and John Fullard. a young London tenor. They have both sung at Covent Garden in grand opera, and the latter created a grand impression with his singing of “Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes,” for which he received three encores. Miss Sara Gregory, soubrette, Phyllis Curnow, soprano, • Peggy Shea, mezzo, and Maxwell Oldaker, tenor, are members of the company who have never previously appeared in ‘Wellington, and the organization also includes Bernard Manning and Vincent McMurray. The full operatic chorus and orchestra is under the direction of Mr. Leo Packer, and the stage manager is 11. C. Nightingale. , “The Pirates of Penzance,” preceded by ‘‘Trial By Jury,” will be staged on Tuesday and Wednesday nights of next week, with a matinee performance on the ■Wednesday. These will be immediately followed by "The Yeomen of the Guard." and then "lolanthe,” "The Mikado” and “H.M.S. Pinafore ”