‘THE GONDOLIERS’

Evening Star, Issue 22573, 15 February 1937, Page 14

‘THE GONDOLIERS’

SEASON COMMENCES SATURDAY The fact that already a largo number oi applications have been for seats for the forthcoming J. C. Williamson Ltd. comic opera season, which will begin on Saturday evening next with a production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s entrancing comic opera, ‘ The Gondoliers,’ is an indication that interest is keen in tho reappearance hero of Strella' Wilson (tho brilliant operatic soprano singer), Ivan Alonzics (the inimitable Gilbertiau comedian) and all the other artists who about 12 months ' ago presented a number of favourite Gilbert and Sullivan operas. Since the company last visited, here it has added to its repertoire ‘ Princess Ida,’ ‘ Lilac Time,’ and ‘ Paul Jones,’ and these operas are among those which arc to be staged during the aproaching season. * The Gondoliers ’ is undoubtedly one of the most attractive of the works of the famous collaborators. The story of the two merry and much-married gondoliers, who find themselves acting temporarily as joint occupants of a single throne, of their - two sprightly wives and the princess one of them is supposed to have married in infancy, of the Duke of Plaza Toro, who turns himself into a limited liability company, and of the supremely confident Grand Inquisitor, is one . of Gilbert’s most forgeous fancies. _ Through it all Ids topsy-turvey comic sense runs riot to a backgrounds of some of Sullivan’s loveliest music. The reappearance of Miss Strella Wilson in the role of Casilda is being loked forward to by play-j goers, and it was in this singing role that the soprano made her debut with | a J. 0. Williamson Ltd. company, j Auckland and Wellington critics declared that Miss Wilson is at present singing better than ever, and that she | is a tower of strength to the company. Ivan Alenzies is a firm favourite with local playgoers, and he is particularly | humorous and entertaining in his ] brilliant conception of the character of the Duke of Plaza I Toro. In the approaching production of ‘ The Gondoliers ’ the role of the Duchess of Plaza Toro will be taken by Aliss Evelyn Hall, a talented young Australian _ contralto, who on a pre-! vious occasion delighted playgoers with her singing in ‘ Rigoletto ’ when that opera was staged here by the last Williamson Grand Opera Company which visited New Zealand. Air Godfrey Stirling, Air Gregory Stroud. Miss Helen Langton, and Miss Eileen Langton made themselves popular when they appeared I here in Alarch last, and thev will make | on appearance on Saturday evening. ! Air Richard Watson will repeat his dig-: nified and whimsical interpretation of ; the part of the Grand'lnquisitor, and 1 the cast also includes Clifford Cowley, I Vincent APAlurray, and Valerio Walsh. | Only the one performance can be staged of ‘ The Gondoliers,’ and on Monday , evening next ‘ Princess Ida ’ will be

produced. On Tuesday, February 23, ‘ The Alikado ’ will be revived, and on Wednesday afternoon, February 24, ‘ lolanthe ’ will be performed On Wednesday night the comic opera ‘ Paul Jones ’ will be presented, and on Thursday, February 25, ‘ Yeomen of the Guard ’ will he staged. The season will be closed on Friday and Saturday, February 26 and 27, including a matinee on Saturday afternoon, with three productions of Franz Schubert’s lovely opera, ‘ Lilac Time.’ There are over 100 people concerned in the productions, including a full operatic chorus and orchestra. The box plans will be opened at the D.I.C. on Wednesday morning at 9 o’clock, and a queue will ho formed from 8 o’clock. :