AMUSEMENTS

Evening Star, Issue 16034, 10 February 1916, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS

ROYAL COMIC OPERA COMPANY. After a considerable absence tho Royal Comic Opera Company, under the direction of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., will again visit Dunedin. Following what has proved an astonishingly sue" cessful venture in Australian centres, a policy of popular operas and quick changes will be adopted.' On Wednesday nest at His Majesty's Theatro will commence a season of five nights, during which no less than four comic operas and musical plays will bo presented. The programme offered is unusually lavish, scheduling the following popular plays in rapid succession and in the order named:—' The Dancin <r Mistress' (for the first time heref, ' Our Miss Gibbs,' .' The Quaker Girl,' and 'Ma Mie Rosette.' 'The Dancing Mistress, 1 which is by J. T. Tanner, with music by Lionel Monckton and lyrics by Adrian Ross, has been an outstanding attraction for two seasons in London, having been one of the few plays that has.-stood tho test of the war strain. The music is said to" bo wonderfully alluring, tho story romantic, and tho dialogue more than ordinarily brilliant. Several of the principals will play here ihe same parts originated by them in tile London production. Judging by the personnel of the company, a line standard of artistry may bo expected. Messrs Reginald Roberts, Leslie Holland, Phil Smith. Claude Bantock, Charles Albert, and Misses Minnie Love (the Prince Charming of the recent ' Cinderella ' pantomime), Maggie Moore, Mrs George Lauri, Ethel Bennetto, Ivy Dawn, Addie Lennard, are names eminently popular. Moreover, the engagement of Miss Ethel Cadman (an English musical comedy artist, and a singer with an undoubted reputation), together with Mr Derek Hudson (a baritone of grand opera experience), should prove a further valuable asset. Finally, the inclusion of so popular and favorite an artist as Miss Florence Young, who has been especially secured for tho New Zealand tour, goes far to stamp the enterprise as a notable nmsii.al imdei taking. The bos plan for the season w;ll be opened at The Bristol on Monday morning nest. The Royal Comic Open-. Company are said to have ovei 100 members, and have also a grand opera orchestra (under tho direction of Mr Harry Burton), a specially augmented chorus, and a complete operatic corps do ballet. FULLERS' VAUDEVILLE.

There was another big house afc the Princess Theatre last night, when the programme was received with every manifestation of approval. Miss Anita Primrose and Mr George Fredo have made a decided hit. They are certainly very competent performers. The other members of the company do splendid work.