"MERRIE ENGLAND" REVIVAL.

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 112, 13 May 1937, Page 21

"MERRIE ENGLAND" REVIVAL.

In view of the presentation in Melbourne at present of the Basil HoodEdward German "Merrie England," it is interesting to record that the opera had its premiere and a four months' run -at the Savoy Theatre, London. This was in 1902. In the first Melbourne production of the piece, Charles Wenman was producer and Gustave Slapoffski was musical director. The cast included Howett-Wors-ter as Essex; Ralph Errolle, the role of Raleigh; Ethel Morrison (and-later Pearl Ladd) played Queen Elizabeth; Strella Wilson was Bessie Throckmor- . ton; C. H. Workman was Walter Wil- ' kins; and John Ralston played Long Tom. Features of the piece are "Yeomen of England," "O Peaceful England," pnd "Queen of May is Crowned Today." Dick Shortland is producer for the present Williamson season in the Victorian capital, and William Quintrell is musical director. - WILLIAMSON COMIC OPERA. Two of the operettas in the repertoire of the Williamson company opening in Auckland on May 26 might well be described as sisters —in fact, by now they might be called "Old Maids." For all that, they are still great entertainment. "A Southern Maid" and "Maid of the Mountains" are alike in that they are distinctly about people who live glamorously. "Southern Maid" ■ tells of a bandit's love for Dolores, a gipsy maid who/, as fallen in love with an English plantation owner. The triangle is worked out in a colourful, brilliant background. It is studded with tuneful numbers, notably "Love's Cigarette," "I Want the Sun and Moon," "My Way of Love," and "Southern Love," which, as sung by Gladys Moncrieff as the lovely Dolores, evokes encore after encore. In "Maid of the Mountains," as Teresa, she sings gloriously all the never-to-be-forgotten numbers that abound in that matchless tale of a' mountain vendetta. Miss Moncrieff wears remarkable gowns with an aplomb that both men and women admire. Dancing is a feature of all the comic operas in the company's repertoire, that also includes "Merry Widow."