‘THE GONDOLIERS’

Evening Star, Issue 23845, 27 March 1941, Page 2

‘THE GONDOLIERS ’

OPENS GILBERT AND SULLIVAN SEASON ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION It is not only in the matter of food and dress and suchlike things that our citizens have been made to feel the restrictions forced upon them by war conditions: the theatre-going public has been starved of delectable fare such as can be provided by companeis from overseas. So that when a company of players of tho calibre of that which began a season in Dunedin last night breaks through tho barrage to entertain us, and to entertain us with Gilbert and Sullivan opera, then it is no wonder that His Majesty’s Theatre was not large enough to all who wished to witness the opening night of ‘ Tho Gondoliers.’ The revival of old plays is. often a risky business, but irarely indeed does a Gilbert and Sullivan season, even in these times of raw and risque revue, fail to be a success. Tho dainty, captivating airs with which these operas abound are so delightfully familiar that one feels a strong inclination to “ join in.” Tho wit, too, never seems to lose its pungency or • its sparkle, and the shades of Sir William Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan may well hover in tho wings and feel that they are doing something to- aid the war effort by making our people forgot, for the time being, the cares and anxieties associated with present world conditions. ‘ The Gondoliers ’ has always been one of the most favoured of the Savoy operas, oven though it is among the lightest, loss “ meaty ” of the series. Its very daintiness constitutes its appeal. So far as the story is concerned, it does not matter very much; it deals iu true Gilbertian fashion with a search for the rightful Fling of Barataria ; with two merry gondoliers who find themselves jointly occupying the throne pending the solution of the problem as to which is really entitled to tbe crown ; with the impecunious Duke of Plaza Toro and his much better half and lovely daughter; and, finally, the straightening out of the whole jolly business iu a manner that makes everybody happy. The action of the play takes place in Venice, whore, at the momont, uo'body, i\ot even *i couple of light-hearted gondoliers, is likely to covet the throne. This company which the J. C._ Williamson organisatiori has sent us is an excellent one. Several of its members are known to us; they have been here before, and we liked them immensely. Others there are who made their first appearance before a Dunedin audience last night. These also’ were warmly recoived. Oil the whole the ftll-rounci standard is well up to that exhibited by companies of a similar kind which have visited us in the past, and entirely adequate for the presentation of the brilliant and ever-popular works of the two immortal collaborators. That last night’s audience appreciated this tact j was clear from' the unbounded enthusiasm which it displayed. Mr Ivan Menzios was, of course, the Diike of Plaza Toro, a part in which he is thoroughly at home. He has his mannerisms, has Mr Menzies, but last niirht he never once threatened to otfend the aforesaid shades of Gilbert and Sullivan by descending to or approaching buffoonery. Indeed, it might be said that the Duke remains in ones mind as a comparatively unobtrusive yet positively essential character, which we may take it, is a tribute not only to Mr Menzies’s skill as an actor, but to his power of restraint. Tho appearance of John Lullard. one of the newcomers and a tenor with a bi<r reputation, was eagerly awaited, but one felt that his work as Marco, m the first act particularly, was perhaps slightly overshadowed by his fellow gondolier, King Giuseppe, in the role of which Gregory Stroud was so sure and so true in tone. But Mr Fullard had his big moment when he roused the audience to enthusiasm with a splen-didly-rendered ‘ Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes.’ a double encore being vociferously demanded. Gregory Stroud, histrionically and. vocally, was consistently good throughout. Typically Gilbert and Sullivan were the Grand Inquisitor of Richard Watsou and tho Duchess of Miss Bvelyn Gardiner. The former moved through the play like tho crow that he is. but a humorous crow. Mr Watson lias a very pleasant speaking and singing voice, and his songs, ‘ I Stole _ the Prince ’ and 1 No Possible Doubt "Whatever,’ were among tho hits of the evening Miss Gardiner was prominent in every scene from the moment of her entry. She was the Duchess, nobody could doubt it, and her deep contralto voice added to the regal atmosphere which surrounded her. " Her one big song is ‘ When I Married the Duke.’ but'she took part iu concerted numbers with conspicuous success. Miss Viola Wilson, a newcomer to Dunedin, immediately impressed with her charming appearance and sweet voice, though her opportunities in this opera for_ demonstrating her vocal powers are limited; The roles of the two young wives of the adventurous Gondoliers were in the more than capable hands of Miss Phyllis Ciirnow (Gianetta) and Sara Gregory (Tessa), Australian girls, who immediately won approval by their vivacity and by their "handling of the musical numbers , allotetd to those characters. Miss Ciirnow particularly sang with taste and expression ‘Ah Me. Yon Men,’ a delightful number. Maxwell Oldaker as Luiz, drummer to the Duke, but eventually the real King, was a success, too, his work in duets with Miss Wilson being heartily applauded. Other parts were 1 filled by Vincent M'Murray (Antonio), John Sanger (Francesco), Chester Harris (Giorgio), Len dotting (Anninbio), Graham Jones (Ottavio). Miss Elya Blair (Fianetta), Miss Vera Evans (Vittoria), Miss Jean Battye (Guillia).■ and Miss Valeria Walsh (Inez). A highly pleasing feature of tho work of the whole company was the excellence of their diction ; one could hear every word in the songs and in tho dialogue. Tho chorus work was splendid, particularly that of the women. A taste of the quality of this chorus was given right at the outset in 1 Roses White and Roses Red,’ and that quality never flagged throughout the many other tuneful and familiar numbers. The orchestra, tinder Les. Packer, did its part competently. Magnificently staged, gorgeously costumed, and produced generally with the thoroughness characteristic of the Williamson control, * The Gondoliers ’ will, without doubt, continue to draw big houses for the balance of the season of four nights and ono matinee. On Monday and Tuesday evenings ‘ Tho Yeomen of the Guard ’ will be staged, to bo followed on Wednesday afternoon and evening with 1 lolanthe,’ on Thursday and Friday with ‘ The Mikado.’ while tho season will close with presentations of ‘ H.M.S. Unaforc,’ preceded hv 1 Trial By Jury.’ on Saturday afternoon and evening, April 5.