J. C. WILLIAMSON'S COMIC OPERA COMPANY.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 2 May 1922, Page 4

J. C. WILLIAMSON'S COMIC OPERA COMPANY.

"MERRIE ENGLAND."

On Friday evening next in the Opera House, J. C. Williamson, Ltd., will present, for one nignt only, tne wonderful English comic .opera, "Merrie England." Musical and theatrical patrons are already well acquainted with the music of Edward German, and the librettist, Captain Basil Hood, has been responsible for some of the most successful comedies and comio operas on the Australasian stage. The collaboration of these two has resulted in a comic opera which the London Times rererred to as introducing a new era in the progress*, of the English stage, and alleviating- to some extent the loss of that brilliant partnership, Gilbert and Sullivan. The Graphic, Melbourne, says: "Not for many a long day, in fact, not since 'The Maid of the Mountains,' has the firm put on such an all-round excellent opera as 'Merrie England.' The music is good, and the rendering of it exceptional. All last week, every night was the first night— in other words, the theatre wks crowded each night." Quartettes, quintettes, trios, solos and duets, make the play melodious throughout, and these and all the ensembles are well done by the splendid combination of artists which J. C, Williamson have got together. Ethel Morrison, A HowettWorster. Chas. H. Workman, Patti Russell, to say nothing of Beryl Walkley. Jack Ralston, Molly Tyrell, C. Mettam and Victor Prince, are a collection of artists which it would bo hard to heat individually or collectively. The famous Gilbert and Sullivan chorus and orchestra are a big feature of "Merrie England." Gustave Siapoffski is still musical director of the company. The box plans open tomorrow morning at Everybody Sweet Shop.