GILBERT AND SULLIVAN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22344, 15 February 1936, Page 16

GILBERT AND SULLIVAN

THE AUCKLAND SEASON The J. C. Williamson, Limited, Gilbert and Sullivan opera company will roach Auckland by the Monowai on Monday afternoon. The New Zealand tour will be launched at His Majesty's Theatre on Wednesday night with a performance of "The Gondoliers." This opera will bo followed by "The Pirates of Penzance," "Yeomen of the Guard," "lolanthc," "The Mikado," "H.M.S. Pinafore" and "Patience." As the Auckland season has been restricted to three weeks the periods allotted to each production must be of a limited naturo. It is interesting to note how Richard D'Oyly Carte was instrumental in bringing Gilbert and Sullivan together. Ho wanted a one-act play to complete a programme. It had to be a musical play, which meant that an author and composer had to bo found as speedily as possible. " Oily," as he was disrespectfully termed by some of his theatrical friends, had an idea. Ho knew both Gilbert and Sullivan, and it occurred to him that they might work well together. He effected a meeting and thus the most famous collaboration in the history of comic opera evolved. "Trial by Jury" was the first result of their efforts. Gilbert, when reading the script to Richard D'Oyly C'arto, was dubious as to its success, but Sullivan was delighted, with the piece, and in two weeks had finished the music. The play made its first appearance as curtain-raiser to "La Pericholo" at the old Royalty Theatre, London.