WILLIAMSON’S OPERA “Waltzes from Vienna”

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 233, 14 September 1934, Page 14

WILLIAMSON’S OPERA “Waltzes from Vienna”

“The Dubarry” and Waltzes from Vienna,” the two stupendous J. C. Williamson, Ltd. musical attractions which are to be staged at Hastings at the Municipal Theatre on Monday and Tuesday nights next will introduce to playgoers the famous London actress, Miss Sylvia Welling, and a supporting company of over 100 people. The role of Jeanne in “The Dubarry” gives Miss Welling great opportunity for the display her artistry, and her glorious soprano voice is heard at its best in Carl Millocker’s exquisite music. “The Dubarry” moves tn a crescendo from the opening modest setting in Madame Labille’s hat shop in Paris to a last exquisite scene in the garden of the Palace Luciennes, when the Countess Dubarry outwits her political enemy, the Due de Choiseul, and justifies the king’s faith in tho sincerity of her affections. The earlier parts of the play depict Dubarry’s rise from obscurity through the cupidity of the Count Dubarry. To give an ingenious romantic flavour to the opera an ingenious love motif is introduced in tho shape of Jeanne’s passion for a poet, Rene Lavallery. The Williamson management has surrounded Miss Welling with a very powerful supporting company, including John Dudley tho brilliant tenor singer and artist, Cecil Kellaway and Leslie Holland, the two famous char acter-comedians both of whom are well and popularly known to New Zealand* playgoers. Richard Parry who has scored an outstanding success in the role of Louis XV., Jean Duncan, Lou Vernon, Clifford Cowley, Lorna Forbes, Cecil Pawley, Douglas Herald, Hilton Porter, Jean Gibson and Miss Ivy Kirby, who was a principal member of the late Pavlova’s company. The company includes a full grand opera chorus and orchestra, also a talented ballet. “Waltzes from Vienna” was described in Melbourne as being lovely in costuming and lovely in dancing, “lhe Dubarry” and “Waltzes from Vienna” are unquestionably two of the most stupendous and most expensive productions ever sent on tour by the J. C. Williamson, Ltd. management. The box plans for both operas are now open at Fail’s.