WILLIAMSON’S OPERAS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 232, 13 September 1934, Page 4

WILLIAMSON’S OPERAS

“WALTZES FROM VIENNA” AND “THE DUBARRY” This morning the box plans were opened at Fail’s for the two stupendous J. C. Williamson Ltd. musical productions “The Dubarry’’ and “Waltzes from Vienna, ” which are to be staged at the Hastings Municipal Theatre on Monday and Tuesday nights next. A large amount of interest is being taken by playgoers in the first appearance here of the brilliant young London singer and actress, Miss Sylvia Welling, who has been acclaimed in Auckland as the finest comic opera artist who has ever appeared in New Zealand. In the real history of Jeanne Dubarry’, mistress of Louis XV, there was not a great deal of romance. Nevertheless, the charming Jeanne of “The Dubarry’’ is a picturesque creation and this romance of her rise to royal favour is thoroughly enjoyable. Not for a long time has J. C. Williamson Ltd. offered the theatre-going public such a good all-round entertainment as that which is given in “The Dubarry” and “Waltzes from Vienna.” Elaborately mounted and magnificently dressed, these productions are strong ill every department. The Jeanne o* Sylvia Welling is a charming sympathetic young woman with some shrewdness and a good share of intelligence And those were the better qualities ot Dubarry. In the opportunities she has for dramatic acting, Miss Welling is superb, and her piquant, and, at times, ironical conversation with Louis, when first they meet, is said to be one of the highlights of the production. “Waltzes from Vienna." the second production, is a beautiful musical play. The Strauss melodies creep across the footlights to the throbbing undertone of strings, and culminate in an impetu-

ous crescendo as the last act swings gaily from the stately measure of the quadrille to the voluptuous strains o£ the “Blue Danube.” John Dudley, who possesses a tenor voice of exceptional range and quality, shares the singing honours in both operas with Miss Welling, and Cecil Kellaway and Leslie Holland materially assist by their comedy. Miss Ivy Kirby’s dancing is a feature of both operas, and other principal artiste are Richard Parry, Jean Duncan, Lorna Forbes, Lou Vernon, Clifford Cowley, Cecil Pawley, Douglas Herald and Jean Gibson. The company includes a full grand opera chorus and orchestra, and a brilliant ballet.