MARIE BURKE IN "FRASQUITA"

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 49, 28 February 1927, Page 5

MARIE BURKE IN "FRASQUITA"

The mas .er hand of Mr. Charles A. Wenman, .the supervising director of the J. C. Wililamson, Ltd., musical plays," writes a Southern critic, "had a magical ■effect on the preparations for the initial Australasian production of Franz Lehar's beautiful comic opera 'Frasquita'" (which is to be staged here at the Grand Opera House on Saturday night next and seven following evenings, and on Saturday afternoon, 12th March), "and it is probably one of the finest produced operas New Zealanders have yet had an opportunity of enjoying." Miss Mini-ie Everett, who accompanied Mr. Wenman from Australia, has also had a very busy time during the past three weeks, and the ballets and ensembles she has created and arranged •go a long way to assure the success of Franz Lehar's masterwork. Franz' Lehar has surpassed all his.previous efforts in "Frasfiuita," and this has, naturally, had the effect of infusing unusual interest in his latest work, and it is being witnessed by record audiences wherever it is being staged. Franz Lehar possesses the genius of being able to indicate in his music the various human emotions, and in "Frasquita". he covers them all, including drama, romance, and. humour. In his lighter vein Franz Lehar has created a number of -superb musical • gems, which give such talented artists as Miss Marie Burke, Mr. Herbert Browne,' Mr. R. Bar-rett-Lennard, Mr. Cecil Kellaway, Miss Thelma Burness, and Miss Marie Eaton special opportunities to display their artistry. The dialogue of "Frasquita" is clever and original, and the numerous comedy situations are genuinely humorous. Features of "Frasquita" are the magnificent new costumes and the brilliant. scenic effects. The box plans will be opened at The Bristol Piano Co. on Thursday morning next at 9 o'clock. A queue will be formed from 8 a.m.