MARIE BURKE IN "FRASQUITA."

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 48, 26 February 1927, Page 7

MARIE BURKE IN "FRASQUITA."

_ Franz Lehar's beautiful comic opera, Frasquita," which is to be staged here by the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., Musical Comedy Company, headed by thai briiliant artist, Miss Marie Burke, at the Grand Opera House on Saturday night next and six followingl evenings," is proving very popular. The fact that playgoers of New Zealand are being privileged to witness an important J. C. Williamson, Ltd., musical attraction bqfore it has been staged in Australia, has, of course, infused special interest. in the representation of '•Frasquita'," but that Lehar's comic opera is much above the average has been proved in Christchurch, where'it attracted large and most enthusiastic audiences right to the end of its run in that city. "Frasquita" was described by a southern critic as "a gorgeous thing of glowing, swift-changing colour and haunting beautiful melody. With'gipsies in a Spanish sotting, and music by Franz Lehar, could it be otherwise?" Another critic wrote: "In writing of 'Frasquita' one is inclined to have recourse to superlatives, and it deserves them. It is one of the best .plays of its kind that has ever come to Christchurch. One expects something out of the ordinary from Franz Lehar, who composed 'The Merry Widow/, but in 'Frasquita' he has excelled himself. He has endowed the opera with a wealth of musical gems that make it his best and what in the long run will probably prove his most successful work to date. .' The dialogue is in keeping with the standard of the beautiful music: It is clever and snappy, and some really good comedy scenes are introduced into the action of the play." Miss Marie Burke has a voice of wide range and sweetness, and it is said that Miss Burke is also fine m the big dramatic climax to the second act. Mr. Herbert Browne possesses a good tenor voice. His duets with Miss Burke created much enthusiasm in Christchurch The bulk of the fun-making falls to the lot of those two brilliant comedians. Mr Cecil Kellaway and Mr. R. : Barrett-Len-nard. As Hippolyt Galliput, Mr. Lennard is, it is said, irresistibly humorous. Mr. Kellaway, as General Girot, has added to his long list of successes, and perhaps he is better in "Frasquita" than in any other role. Miss Thelma Burness is said to be very dainty and sweet as Dolly, and others in the cast are Miss Marie Eaton, Noel Dainton, Frank Hawthorne, and lan Iredale. Altogether there are over 80 people concerned in the representation of "Frasquita." The box plans will be opened at The Bristol Piano Co. on Tliursday •■morning, next., ... ; \ „: „;,.. . ,