OPERA SEASON

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 124, 19 February 1941, Page 10

OPERA SEASON

“Pirates Of Penzance” And “Trial By Jury”

MERRY PERFORMANCES "The Pirates of Penzance, oi the Slave of Duty.” a comic opera in two acts, by Gilbert and Sullivan. Cast of characters: — \lajor-lleiieral Stanley Ivan Menzies Tlie Pirate- King Bernard Manning Samuel I.eu Gutting I'rederie Maxwell oldaker Sergeant ot Police Richard Watson Edith Sara Gregory Kale Kuby Rhldel) Isabel "..... Eiva Blair Kuth Evelyn Gardiner Mabel Viola Wilson -Tell me a story about pirates!” Who is the father whose small son has not, at some time or other, begged this favour. While youngsters still revel in wild stories of I lie Barbary coast, even fathers, and grandfathers seldom fail lo get a thrill out of welltold tales of blood and fire on I hr- high seas. Something of this fundamental truth might have asserted itself in the agile mind of W. 8. Gilbert when he designed his witty comic opera. "The Pirates of Penzance," delightfully tierformed by the Williamson company at the Grand Ol>era House last night before an audience that filled every seat. This bright, breezy. swashbuckling, and romantic conceit, is at once a rhapsody and a merry lilt at those in exalted places. While Gilbert's dialogue retains much of the sparkle of 00 years ago, bis absurdities in character and situation are as riotously funny as ever, while the music of Sullivan, always melodious, relined, and devoid of any taint of mawkishness., completes the spell. Two factors about “The Pirates of Penzance;’ worth recalling on the occasion of this revival are that it is the only opera of lhe series that was produced in public in America before it was heard in London (on account. of copyright, troubles concerning "IL.M.S. Pinafore”), and secondly, that Frederick, lhe pirate 'prentice, came of age last year, an occasion that was celebrated all over the world, including 'Wellington.

It may hi- remembered that Frederick is-, by mistake, bound apprentice to the Pirate King (instead of to a pilot), and his indentures stipulated that he was to serve until his twenty-first birthday (not twenty-first year), so that his indentures only ran out last year. Given two new and effective sets of scenery—a bright glimpse of the rugged Cornish coast and a ruined abbey by moonlight—gay. colourful costumes, a set of principals who know their work, and a highly competent chorus and orchestra, the performance was delightfully refreshing throughout, and was received with tremendous enthusiasm by the large audience.

Mr. Iran Menzies, dapper in figure, and comically crisp in dialogue, made a natty Major-General Stanley, and sang the “Model Major-General'' patter song with varying degrees of velocity, working up to a pitch when the lines 'become one long word. He treated the beautiful "Softly Sighing to the River" number, with its exquisite poetic note, as though it were a comic song. Even Grossmith (the original Stanley I could not make this number humorous, though he is said to have bad the poorest of voices. Miss Viola Wilson sang lhe florid music of Mabel, with admirable abandon, receiving a double encore for "Poor Wandering One," thanks to its catchy cadenza. She was also heard to advantage in the duet, "Ah. leave Me not to Pine.” in which the delicate accompaniment of muted strings was a feature. Jibs Wilso alias a charming stage presence, and acted the role with spirit. Frederick was brightly acted by Mr. Maxwell IdaOker, who made p handsome pirate 'prentice, though bis voire scarcely met the full demands of lhe music. A eapilnl performance was that of lhe Sergeant of Police by Mr. Richard Watson, who scored heavily in the solos. -'When the Foeman Bears His Steel” and "A Policeman's Lot is not a Happy One.” numbers which were enhanced by the fine set of basses employed. Miss Evelyn Gardiner made a hearty full-fleshed Ruth, singing and acting the ride with real sincerity. Another good performance was that of the Pirate King bv Bernard Manning, who was splendidly fierce and vehement.

Tho good chorus tlie present company possesses was evident by the. impression created in tin' unaccompanied number “Hail. Poetry." most admirably sting. 'l'lie orchestra was excellent. In the hands of Mr. Leo Packer, it became a veliii-l" for some beautiful effects, a marked delicacy in acconipaninient. and dramatic in the many crescendos. Mr. Packer is demonstrating every evening tlie beauty I hat lies in Sullivan's gift in orchestration.

"The Pirates of Penzance" was preceded by a swift and jocund performance of "Trial By Jury," which went with a bang. Mr. R. Watson was the insinualive judge of anionrous proclivities. Mr. \ incent. McMurray was tLe protesting defendant, Miss Sara Gregory, a dainty, rougish plaintiff; Mr. Gregory Stroud a conscientious counsel, and Mr. Bernard M,'inning an unctions usher. All concerned appeared to enjoy the performance jiie't as much as the audience. One of the features was the singing of I lie chorus, "A Nice Dilemma" la la Italian optra). 'Pile pace at which the work was taken was a cracker. "'l'lie Pirates of Penzance" and "Trial By Jury" will be presented again this afternoon at 2 p.m., and tonight. Other Productions. "The Yeomen of the Guard," esteemed as much for its story as for its music, will be presented tomorrow night and the three following nights, as well as on Snturday af imioon. Ivan Menzies i> brilliant as .lack Point, the ami the music allocated to the role of Elsie .Maynard gives Miss Viola Wilson further opport tin it ies for her rich soprano voice. John I'nlJard. has a good singing part in ( olonel Fairfax. Evelyn Gardiner, Richard Watson. Gregory Stroud. Bernard Mantling and Vincent McMurray have all previously appeared in Wellington. in their respective roles. Miss Peggy Shea will make her Wellington <|<>- hut iii the important part of Phoebe Meryll. in which she scored a success in Auckland. The chorus and orchestra is an outstanding feature. (In Tuesday, and the two following nights, and on the Wednesday afternoon, February 2d. "lolanlhe" will lie revived; .■mil on Friday. February 28. the two following evenings, and on Saturday afternoon. March 1. there will be "The Mikado." On Tuesday. March 4. the two following evenings, and on the Wedltes day afternoon. "11.M.5. Pinafore,” preceded by "Cox and Box.” will be produced.