J. C. Williamson's Opera Company.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 8052, 1 April 1905, Page 5

J. C. Williamson's Opera Company.

The notification thafrMr. J. C. Williamson has arranged to send his famous Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company to Palrnerston North to present two sumptuous productions, commencing Friday evening next at the Zealandia Hall, with the charming opera " The Pirates of Penzance," which proved so enormously successful at tke Opera House, Wellington, will doubtless be welcome news to all lovers of music, and playgoers generally. It is satisfactory, also, to learn that the enterprising manager is encouraged in his action by the measure of support which he received at the hands of Palmerston audiences in connection with the visit of the Knight- Jefferies Company, which, at the time, was taken much in the light of an experiment. There should be no reason to doubt that the Gilbert and Sullivan Repertoire Company will have quite as successful an experience in this town as the Knight-Jeff-eries Co. had, especially in view of the fact .-that the former company in the principal centres of Australia created something of the nature of a furore, 'which at the present time is being repeated in Wellington; and that Mr Williamson who, in theatrical matters, does nothing by halves, can be relied upon to take every care that the attraction shall be presented in a manner fully up to the standard from -which he has never yet departed. The second production of the season here will be the ever popular Japanese opera "The Mikado," which will be presented on a scale of dazzling splendour on Friday evening next, April 7th. The company, which numbers upwards of 80 members, will be under the direction of Mr Henry Bracey, and includes a complete chorus (which is stated to be the finest ever heard in New Zealand) and a full and' efficient orchestra of 20 instruments, under the baton of Mr Leon Caron. A feature of the season will be the, first appearance in this city of the following great, operatic stars: —Mr Howard Vernon, Mr Chas. Kenningham (from the Savoy Theatre, London), Mr J. Ralston, Mr Ernest Fitts, Mr H. H. Wallace, Miss Dolly Castles (sister to Miss Amy Castles), Miss Celia Ghiloni, Miss Vinia d'Loitti, -Miss Aggie Thorne, Miss Ruby Arnfield and others.' It is announced that the box plans for the two nights' season will be opened at Mr Park's, bookseller, on Monday morning.