“Yeomen of the Guard” Has Signal Success OPERA SEASON CONCLUDED

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 72, 26 March 1936, Page 8

“Yeomen of the Guard” Has Signal Success

OPERA SEASON CONCLUDED

Happy memories wero renewed for many patrons during the short but notable season of Gilbert and Sullivan operas, which was brought to a close last evening by a delightful presentation of ‘‘The Yeomen of the Guard,” regarded by many as the greatest creation of these gifted collaborators. Sullivan’s music in this opera is conceded as the best of his compositions, outstanding musical gems being: “I Have a Song to Sing O,” "Is Life a Boon?” “Were I Thy Bride,” "Strange Adventure,” the trio, “A Man Who Would Win a Fair Maid,” and the quartette, “When a Wooer Goes Wooing,” and these numbers as rendered last evening will live long in the memories of those privileged to hear them. The magnificent choral ensembles which enrich this opera were splendidly interpreted, and principals and chorus well deserved the generous applause accorded them. The grim setting of the Tower of Loudon, centre of many poignant historical events, was admirably produced and the tragic story of Jack Point, the broken-heart-ed man ‘‘paid to be funny,” held the sympathy of the audience to its dramatic finale. Mr Ivan Menzies reached the heights in his skilful characterisation of the jester, and had an excellent foil in Mr Itichard Watson in the part of Wilfred Shadbolt (head jailer), -who proved himself a clever comedian.' Miss Winifred Lawson was an appealing’ Elsie Maynard, using her sweet, fresh voice-with telling effect in her various, numbers, and Mr Godfrey Stirling was a likeable Colonel Fairfax, With' high vocal attainments. Mr Bernard • Manning," Mr • Gregory Stroud, Miss Evelyn Gardiner, Miss Eileen Kelly-and' Miss Helen. Langton completed'a' strong , cast-;Yesterday-’s' matinee performance by the company was . the highly humorous comic opera, ‘.‘The Mikado,” in. which -Mr Menfcies-was!, irresistibly funny as Ko• .-Ko, Lord! High Executioner. Tho incomparable blending- of Gilbert’s wit and Sullivan’s melody is fully demonstrated -in -this sparkling work, which lost nothing-in" its-presentation by this talented' J,„ C.: Williamson company.