"PRINCESS IDA"

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 91, 14 October 1926, Page 6

"PRINCESS IDA"

Ha tilt at feminism

Tciinyson wrote his "Princess" in the Victorian;\',era, and Gilbert's "respectful operatic perversion" was first produced in ISB4. There Jjaf.little risk attaching to a-pro-phecy that no'comic opera of the present day, based ujJiiii a view of life subjected tp^ similar change, will have the popularity after fortyffcwo years that "Princes*. Ida" enjoys tcf-day. The Victorian view 6l;womau's plaUe" in the world has changed. The . opinions':jyhich Gilbert so cleverly satirised have^nbw been commonly accepted. There Js.;:tio need for woman to assert her independence, i'et Gilbert's wit is enjoyed—and enjoyed by both sexes. Of course it cannot bo separated from the music of .-Sullivan, as fresh and sparklin" as ever^-v.-1'1

Possibly the warm reception of the opera last .ijiight was due in part to the ■ fact thafe;."Princess Ida" is fresh to many lovers/of Gilbert and Sullivan—that is to say 'comparatively ; fresh. "The Gondoliers" they have heard often and "The Mikado'; more often; but "Princess Ida" is usually last on the repertoire of the populai operas and the first to be dropped in a short season, so many people have missed it.. Last night's revival was in all respects a highly creditable one. The mounting and dressing were excellent, and the Cast was strong. Miss Strella Wilson niade a dignined and impressive Princess Ida This music of this opera is not throughout of tne same high standard as some of the other operas, but there are several songs of outstanding merit for the Princess. Muss .Wilson, made the most of these especially ot the invocation to Minerva and "I Built Upon a.. ; Rock." Mr.- James Hay was-ex-' cellent in the role of Hilarian, both in the ii.usie and the playing, and he was greatly aided by tlf e clevel . . t - ooling df MeSßrs ' Lance I'airfax and Leo Darn ton, as Cyril 2j ■•!?£!?."■ As Lady Blanche, Miss Winitoed'. Williamson presented/a good caricatoe- il of-the'vblfie^tc,^iiig,:irid- Miss Morna btewart was wholly .tielightftil as Lady Psyche. Mr, Charles Walenn as King Uama won his usual success, and Mr. John Ralston made an effective, storming King Hildebrand. , Messrs, .Bernard Manning (AracJ, John Byrne (Scynthins), : , and Moran Hilford (Gurpn) were quite in"the -picture as--(Jama's sons, and Miss Alma' UJJea was-charming ras'Melissa ' . Princess Ida" will be played again, tonight, and this will end the Wellington season. 6.