SAVOY OPERAS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22142, 22 June 1935, Page 12 (Supplement)

SAVOY OPERAS

MELBOURNE PLEBISCITE An indication of the order of popularity of tlio Gilbert and Sullivan operas has been provided by a plebiscite conducted by The Argus. Readers were asked to nominate six plays in order of preference. J. C. Williamson, Limited, whose Gilbert and Sullivan season is now in progress in Melbourne, undertook to give a revival programme based on the result of the plebiscite within the limits of the repertoire. it was generally thought that the "Gondoliers" was the most popular of the Savoy Operas, but nearly 200 more votes were case for "Tho Yeomen of the Guard" than for "Tho Gondoliers." "Ruddigore," which is not included in the repertoire of tho present company, was sixth on the list, before "The Pirates of Penzance," "H.M.S. Pinafore," and "Trial by Jury." The final result of the voting was: " Tho Yeomen of the Guard," BIG; "The Mikado," 7552; "The Gondoliers," G2B; "lolanthe," 571; "Patience," 329; "Ruddigore," 317; "The Pirates of Penzance," 2G7; "H.M.S. Pinafore," 250; "Princess Ida," 203; "The Sorcerer," 98; "Utopia, Limited," 33; "Trial bv Jury," 29; "The Grand Duke," 12. Many who voted condemned tho rocent tendency to introduce gagging, buffoonery, and topical references into tho Savoy Operas, more especially "Tho Mikado."