GILBERT AND SULLIVAN OPERAS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 27, 1 February 1941, Page 8

GILBERT AND SULLIVAN OPERAS

J. C. Williamson's Gilbert and Sullivan Opera • Company will begin its Wellington season with a production of "The Gondoliers" on Wednesday, February 12, the four following evenings, and on Saturday afternoon, February 15. "The Pirates of Penzance," preceded by "Trial by Jury," is to be revived on Tuesday and Wednesday nights and Wednesday alternoon, February 18 and iy. On Thursday, February 20, and the two following nights and on Saturday afternoon, February 22, "The Yeomen of the Guard" will be staged, and on Monday, February 24, and the two following nights arid Wednesday afternoon, February :.. 26, "lolanthe" will be revived. On Thursday. February 27, and the 'following three .nights and on Saturday after-; noon, March 1, "The Mikado" will be presented, and on Tuesday and Wednesday night and Wednesday afternoon, March 4 and 5, "H.M.S. Pinafore," pre^ ceded by "Cox and Box," will be produced. The company met with a remarkable : reception at their opening performance :of "The Gondoliers" in Auckland recently. Ivan Menzies, Evelyn 'Gardiner, Gregory Stroud, Richard Watson, and Vincent McMurray, who are established favourites with New Zealand .audiences, were all ac« corded an ovation'when they appeared respectively as the Duke of Plaza Toro^ the Duchess of Plaza Tord,. Gulseppej the Grand Inquisitor,: and Antonio, and a very hearty welcome was given to Viola Wilson, the principal soprano, John Fullard,. the leading tenor, Sara Gregory, the charming soubrette, Max\vell Oldaker, Phyllis Curnow, and to the other artists who are all making their first appearance in New Zealand.