STAGE FOLK

Evening Star, Issue 22328, 2 May 1936, Page 5

STAGE FOLK

It lacks hut three years to the fiftieth anniversary of the first production of ‘ The Gondoliers,’ with which the Williamson Company opens its Dunedin season to-night, and in that time its freshness of appeal has not been dimmed in the slightest. It moves brilliantly to a sparkle of nmsio radiating gaiety, to a piquancy of wit in the libretto, and to a daintiness of conception which will assure it enthusiastic audiences for another 50 years. Mr Ivan Menzies needs no introduction to Dunedin audiences. His impersonation of the Duke of Plaza-Toro is one of his very best roles, and may be expected to keep the audience in that state of constantly rinnling, quiet merriment which only Gilbert can inspire. Miss Evelyn Gardiner, ns the Duchess, and Air Gregory Stroud, as Guiseppe, may >be assured of the welcome due to old and tried friends. Newcomers are Afiss Winifred Lawson, from the London D’Oyly Carte Company, Mr Godfrey Stirling, who will play the role of Alarco, and Mr Richard Watson, whose fine bass voice should he heard to advantage in the music allotted to the Grand Inquisitor.

Theatregoers of Dunedin have a real treat in store when Sir Benjamin Fuller presents the Hart-O’Brian Celebrity Vaudeville Company here in the near future. This brilliant company comes direct from London witli 40 artists, 000 dresses, and 80 tons of scenery and effects. Most of the Locking is by the famous fashion designer, Zanelle, ot Paris. The company will stage the very latest in vaudeville presentation, which will be presented in its entirety as in London and Paris. Li translating these startling Parisienno successes, Frank O’Brian has endeavoured to retain all those intriguing essentials that go _to making those delightful vaudeville shows so entertaining. The Parisiemm loves yon to play on the whole gamut of liis emotions, lienee the presentations are designed _to cover music, singing, comedy, circus, opera, and drama and the" artists must naturally be versatile and accomplished. It is obvious, therefore, that one who secs Frank O’Brian’s fascinating French productions must breathe the atmosphere and allure of this groat French city.

The J. C. Williamson Comedy Company, headed bv Kthel Morrison and Elaine Hamill, both Now Zealanders, commences its New Zealand season in Wellington on Saturday next, May !), with the first presentation in the Dominion of Ivor Novello’s amusing comedy, ‘ Fresh Fields.’ This is the play that had all London laughing. Novello, one of the younger playwrights, is as well known as Noel Coward. He chose Ins types perfectly, with the idea of bringing into, contrast the uncut diamonds of the Antipodes in the persons of a group of Australians visiting London, with the more polished arid aesthetically-set gems of aristocratic England. Intended ns amusing satire, it is a sort of lesson in manners, ns it were. As paying guests in a Mayfair mansion kept by two penniless ladies the Australian family cause diverting entertainment. Miss Ethel Morrison, the cx-Wcllington actress, who is one of the most gracious ladies of the stage, plays Lady Alary Crabhe in this delightful comedy; Elaine Hamill. another New Zealander, plays Lady Lilian Bedworthy; Arthur Lane, the English boy. who secures an Australian prize; Katie Towers is the Sydney parent, and the east is completed bv Harvey Adams, Phyllis Baker, and Norman Shepherd, Edna Hollins, Patricia Pantin. The repertoire of the company also includes 1 Night Must Fall.’ a sensational crime play by Emlyn Williams, and 1 The Shining Hour,’ a domestic tragedy by Keith Winter.

Travelling with the Gilbert and Sullivan Company is Comtesso de VilmeHautrcont, who will be remembered as Aliss Vinia. de Loitte, a fine singer and actress, whose husband was Howard Vernon, a very sound Gilbertian exponent The company is at Dunedin to-night for a short season, then goes to Timaru on May 11; Christchurch Mav 12 to 23.

The Savoy Operas are not merely evergreen ; they are ns well assured of immortality as any work of art can be in a changing world. At a time when America and the Continent have almost taken charge of the light operatic stage, and native English humour is said to be languishing in the theatre. Gilbert and Sullivan are more appreciated and enjoyed than ever. A Savoy company sent to the United States for the first time last year was received with tumultuous acclaim, and after man\ r weeks New Yorkers could hardly boar to lot it go. The gramophone and the radio have spread Sullivan’s lilting airs ever more widely’ year after year, and have prepared countless thousands for the operas themselves whenever there is an opportunity to hoar them. New Zealanders are behind no one in their loyalty to these classics of melody, humour, and satire. Every’ five years or so J. C. AVilliamsou Ltd. sends an

accredited company of high standing on a tour of Australia and New Zealand. Thousands of Gilbert and Sullivan devotees ardently look forward to its coming, and each visit makes new converts among the younger folk; so that the company whose local season opens at His Majesty’s to-night, is assured of eager patronage.

Mr Maurice Ralph, troll known in New Zealand as manager of the Clem Dawe Rome Company, has written to friends in New Zealand from Dublin, where at the tinic of writing he was making preparations for the company's visit. It was anticipated that the company would do good business there, more especially as it was to be there on St. Patrick’s 'Day. The company was to be tendered a reception by the Lord Mayor, and the programme of entertainment arranged for the company included an inspection of all the workings of the Irish sweepstake. The company was to play at Manchester at Easter, and then go to London for a month, playing at the principal suburban theatres. The company hopes .to he again in New Zealand at the end of next year, and will play in South Africa on the way out.

Owing to a flow ot protests whicli followed the news of the appointment of Air Wilhelm Furtwaengler to Ilia conductorship of the New York Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, Mr Furtwaengler lias cabled his refusal of •he post, saying that he would rather postpone his acceptance “ until the time the public realises that politics and music are apart.” The trouble evidently lies behind the tact that Mr Furtwaengler at present is an official ot the Nazi Government as the director of the Berlin State Opera. Imrnediatcly his new appointment was announced a boycott cancellation movement was begun by Philharmonic subscribers, not only Jewish, but “ others disliking the racial and artistic policies of the Nazi Government, and feeling that Mr Furtwaengler in accepting an official position condoned those policies.” His reply to this opposition was to the effect that his status with the Berlin Opera was that of a guest and that his job was 11 only music.”

The Dunedin Operatic Society is atj present rehearsing; ‘The Maid of the Mountains ’ for production during; Winter Show Week. This musical comedy is by far the most ambitiou.s piece over attempted by the society, but with the strong cast that has been selected, an excellent chorus, and good ballets, the success of the production is

assured. The part of Teresa (Maid of the Mountains) has been allotted to Miss Freda Elmos, who will have associated with her in the role of \ ittoria Miss Daphne Murdoch. Mr Arthur Lungley has been entrusted with the main singing part of Bioppo. and others who are in the cast ore Alex. M'Dowell, Roy Herbert, R. Wilson Brown, Major F. IT. Dampen, and Mark'-Gaston. The comedy is being produced by Major Dampen, and the ballets are being trained bv Miss Constance Potts, principal of the Stan. Lawson School of Dancing.

On Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday the 13th to 16th May, inclusive, the Otago University students will stage their annual capping concert in His Majesty’s Theatre. This year’s concert, from all reports, appears to be quite the best to be staged in Dunedin for some years.