WILLIAMSON’S OPERAS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 235, 17 September 1934, Page 5

WILLIAMSON’S OPERAS

“The Dubarry” To-night

To-night at 8 o’clock at the Afunicipal Theatre, .1. C. Williamson Ltd. will present the famous London singer and actress, Afiss Sylvia Welling and a

magnificent supporting company of over 100 artists in the incomparably beautiful musical play “The Dubarry,” and to-morrow evening they will stage Strauss’ brilliant and melodious comic opera “Waltzes from Vienna.” Seats in a central position for both operas may be selected to-day at Fail’s, or at the doors this evening. Tn “The Dubarry,” wrote the critic of the Auckland “Herald,” “a packed house at His Majesty's Theatre found all its expectations vastly exceeded. No stage spectacle so magnificent so richly varied, or accompanied by such a wealth of romantic music has been brought ot New Zealand for at least a decade.”

As the great Dubarry, Miss Sylvia Welling has won outstanding triumphs in London and Australia, while in Auckland she created a perfect furore. Miss Welling sings the numbers attached to her role with artistry and sureness that alone would be enough to explain why she was chosen to play the part in London after the tragic death of Anne Ahlers. Air John Dudley will make Iris first appearance here in the splendid singing role of Rene Lavttllery, in which he achieved a big success in Sydney and Melbourne. Cecil Kellawny. one of the best character comedians who has ever been attached to the Williamson Ltd. management, scores one of his best triumphs as a very susceptible Alarquis. Leslie Holland m seen as his best as the Count Dubarry, Mr Richard Parry will make his first, appearance here as Louis XV. Miss •lean Duncan, as La Alarechale de France, and Miss Jean Gibson as Margot, greatly assist. Aliss Ivy Kirby, who was associated with the late Madame Pavlova, is a supreme artist, and her dancing is a feature of the production. Other principal members of the company are Lorna Forbes, Hilton Porter, Lou Vernon, Cecil Pawley, Clifford Cowley, Douglas Herald, and other notable artists. The work of the grand opera chorus and orchestra and of the exquisite ballet is a feature of the production. “WALTZES FROAI VIENNA” To-morrow evening the company will make its final appearance here with “Waltzes From Vienna.” It is a feast for the eye and ear of spectacle and music, entrancing stage settings, beautiful costuming, the Strauss unforgettable melodies and gorgeous ballets. “The Soul of the Waltz” is said to be in “Waltzes From Vienna,” and Aliss Welling is magnificent in the role of Countess Olga.