GILBERT AND SULLIVAN SEASON

Evening Star, Issue 21054, 17 March 1932, Page 5

GILBERT AND SULLIVAN SEASON

DUNEDIN EASTER ATTRACTION The Sydney Press was very enthusiastic about tho premiere of the J. C. Williamson Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company, which is due to open its Dunedin season on Saturday, March 26, at His Majesty’s Theatre. 11 From the moment that Ivan Menzies stepped upon the stage at Her Majesty’s on Saturday night lovers of the Savoy operas were confident that the Gilbert and Sullivan season in Sydney, commencing with ‘ The Gondoliers,’ would be a success,” said ope paper. “Mr Menzies, the perfect Savoy comedian, gave one of the most polished and enjoyable characterisations of the Duke of Plaza Toro ever seen here, his delightful fooling never at any stage suggesting a descent to clowning. The support given him by his fellow-English artist, Miss Evelyn Gardiner, as the Duchess, was a perfect foil to his swaggering impecuniosity. The opening performance of tho season was in the nature of a triumph, for the principals throughout maintained a clarity of diction and a care of enunciation that carried every word of Gilbert’s satire home to the audience. The Duke’s patter song and his nimble dancing made him an instant favourite, and he and the Duchess were admirably supported by Miss Maisie Ramsay, possessor of a sweet soprano voice, as Casilda. Mr John Ralston, of course, was the perfect Grand Inquisitor as he has so often been before, and Messrs Gregory Stroud (the English baritone) and Leo Darnton were an ideal pair of kings. The former has a fine presence and a natural grace, and Mr Darnton has obviously learnt the proper tricks of light opera since he was last seen here. His singing of 'Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes ’ evoked four recalls, which he gave most effectively sotto voce with a muted pizzicato accompaniment by the strings—a most artistic offering. The Gianetta .and Tessa of Misses Marie Bremner and Alary Hotham were delightful studies, both the brides singing with exceptional clarity and tunefulness. The choral work merits tho utmost praise, for its volume and sincerity were striking. Indeed, there has been no finer ensemble work since tho days of Howard Vernon. Mr Gustave Slapoffski’s musicians were never allowed to dominate tho scene, and the whole performance was so perfectly balanced as to augur most favourably for a brilliant season.”