THE GONDOLIERS.

Evening Star, Issue 22575, 17 February 1937, Page 8

THE GONDOLIERS.

OPENING OPERA FOR SATURDAY The box plans have now opened at the D.I.C. for the approaching seven nights’ season of the J. C. Williamson Ltd. Gilbert and Sullivan Comic Opera Company, which will begin on Saturday night next with a gala production of the popular and tunelnl comic opera ‘ The Gondoliers.’ The Venetian opera was presented for two performances only in Christchurch, and the whole of the dross circle and reserved stalls were sold out completely long before the doors were opened, and tickets for the gallery wore sold out a couple of hours after they were announced to be placed on sale- In Auckland and Wellington the season of ‘ The Gondoliers ’ had to be extended, and even then the theatres proved inadequate to accommodate the large number which endeavoured _ to obtain admission. It will bo impossible to extend the approaching season, as the company is due to leave for Australia on March 1, and, therefore, only one performance can be staged of ‘The Gondoliers,’ which will bo followed on Monday night next by the ‘Yeomen of the Guard,’ which attracted record audiences in Auckland and Christchurch. On Tuesday next the quaint and humorous Japanese musical play, ‘ The Mikado,’ will ho staged, and on Wednesday afternoon the fairy opera ‘ lolanthe ’ will_ he performed;' On Wednesday night Rlanquette’s charming and humorous opera ‘ Paul Jones ’ will be presented, and on Thursday and Friday evenings and on Saturday afternoon Franz Schubert’s lovely musical romance ‘ Lilac Time ’ will bo produced. The last night of tho season will be devoted to a big special Savoyard performance, particulars of which will be announced later.

it will be several years before playgoers of Dunedin will again have an opportunity to witness further revivals of tho Gilbert and Sullivan operas. That Strella Wilson is as popular with New Zealand playgoers as she is with those in Australia was proved by the remarkable reception accorded to her in Auckland, Wei lington, and Christchurch. She is probably the finest singer of light operas on tho English-speaking stage to-day, and her voice will bo heard at its best in the roles she is to interpret during the coming season. The irresistibly humorous comedian, Mr Ivan Mcnzies, is popular with playgoers of this city, and ho should be welcomed when ho appears on Saturday in the role of tho Duke of Plaza-Toro, which is ono of his outstanding characterisations. Miss Evelyn Hall created enthusiasm by her brilliant singing and acting in tho role of the Duchess of Plaza-Toro in Sydney, and she is already a favourite with playgoers _of the Dominion. Other favourites who will make their reappearance on Saturday are Gregory Stroud, Godfrey Stirling, Richard Watson, Helen Langton, Eileen Kelly, Vincent M'Murray, Clifford Cowley, and Tommy Jay. The work of the operatic orchestra and chorus is a.feature of each of the operas.