WILLIAMSON’S OPERAS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 231, 12 September 1934, Page 11

WILLIAMSON’S OPERAS

“The Dubarry” & “Walzes From Vienna” The box plans will be opened ab bail’s to-morrow morniug at nine o’clock for the stupendous J. C. Williamson Ltd. supieme musical attraction “The Dubarry” to be staged on Monday night next and “Waltzes from Vienna” to be produced on Tuesday evening. Both operas fairly electrified playgoers of Auckland, and they attracted record audiences, and judging by the large number of inquiries which have been received at the box office regarding the booking arrangements there seems likely to be a large demand for seats to-morrow morning. Both “The Dubarry” and “Waltzes from Vienna” ran over 16 weeks in Sydney and then enjoyed equal popularity, in Melbourne. Doubly interesting will be the initial performance here of “The Dubarry” because it will introduce Sylvia Welling, the English singer and actress in her famous London role. For two years Miss Welling plpyed the part oi Margot in the English production of “The Desert Song.” When Miss Welling’s great chance came (through the tragic death of Auny Ahlers) to play the leading rolo in the London production of “The Dubarry” she received much publicity as the English girl who was gallantly carrying on with great success in a part that had hitherto been thought only an international star could have undertaken. “Waltzes from Vienna’’ tell a story of “Scliani” Strauss. Being young and an artist he falls hopelessly in love with flu res.- Ehseder She is bis inspiration and for her he scribbles out his waltzes. Nobody else has faith in (•fin until Countess Uaransknja bears linn play She contrives to deieat bis father's opposition io his becoming a musician. A clever ruse succeeds, aud one night of nights “Schani” Strauss is given a chance to conduct his fath- , er s orchestra. He plays his own “Blue

Danube,” and in a moment his name is made. That is the climax, and the curtain falls on one of the most brilliant scenes ever presented on the stage. There are over 100 people in the company, including a full grand opera chorus and orchestra, and a talented ballet. Cecil Kellaway and Leslie Holland are said to be splendidly cast m both productions, and John Dudley, the famous tenor, has good singing parts m the two operas.