‘BALALAIKA’

Evening Star, Issue 23083, 8 October 1938, Page 21

‘BALALAIKA’

OPENING OF SEASON TO-NIGHT This evening, commencing at 8 o’clock, J. C. Williamson’s Royal Comic Opera Company, numbering over 150 members, will present for the first time to Dunedin playgoers a gala performance of the spectacular musical play ‘ Balalaika,’ which has proved outstandingly successful in London, on the Continent, in New York, and Australia. Its latest triumph in Christchurch is without a precedent in the theatre history of that city. . Last night’s scenic and lighting rehearsal passed off without a hitch, so playgoers may be assured of smooth productions of ‘ Balalaika.’ ‘ Balalaika ’ will bo staged on Monday and Tuesday nights, and on Wednesday afternoon and evening and on Ihursday night the company will present the comic opera ‘ The Desert Song,’ which is proving even more successful to-day than when it was originally staged in the Dominion. Although the booking is very heavy, it is so well distributed over the season that seats in central positions in either the dress circle or stalls for this evening’s gala performance of ‘ Balalaika ’ may be selected at Jacobs’s tobacconist shop to-day. £>o that intending patrons of the ordinary stalls may not have to stand in a queue this evening, a limited number of seats at ss, plus the tax, may be reserved at Jacobs’s, ’tickets for the back stalls and pit may be purchased at Jacobs’s during the whole day,, or at the theatre this evening. ‘ Balalaika ’ is a musical play that is pleasing both to the ear and the eye. It fulfils every expectation. It is spontaneous and vital, with such music and dancing as are a sheer delight. As a spectacle it is said to eclipse easily' any production ever previously staged in New Zealand, and its comedy scenes are refreshingly wholesome and genuinely humorous. Miss Violet Carlson, the comedienne of the company, is said to be a whole entertainment in herself. She ;s quaintlv amusing, and her eccentric dancing never fails to astound and deiuriit her audiences. Mr George Hancock is a brilliant baritone from London, and he has scored a great success in the role of Count Karagin in ‘ Balalaika.’ Miss Daina Ducane, a dainty young English soprano, possesses a

magnetic personality. In no city or town is Don Nicol more popular than in Dunedin. Playgoers- will recall his brilliant performance in ‘The unite Horse Inn,’ The cast as a whole is exceptionally good, and in addition there are beautiful Russian ballets.