OPERATIC SEASON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22619, 6 January 1937, Page 12

OPERATIC SEASON

" PAUL JONES " REVIVED SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE ROMANCE AND HUMOUR Enlivened with much interpolated modern humour, the melodious halfcent iirv-old opera, "Paul Jones," was most happily revived by the J. C. "Williamson Gilbert and Sullivan Company at Mis Majesty's Theatre last night before a highly-appreciative audience. "Paul Jones" relies very little on the actual exploits of the Scottish-born naval hero, w lu> fought for both the Americans and the French against his native country, and even led an enemy force fin to the soil of Britain. Nevertheless, the opera gives plenty oi scope to romance and the colour of 18thcciitur.v costume. Breton smugglers, American and Spanish sailors, pretty girls and the entourage of a Spanish colonial court lill the stage in turn. The music by Robert Planquette, better known as the composer of "Los Cloches do Coineville," is bright and charming throughout. The piece enjoyed great popularity in this part of the world a gen-t-ration and more ago, when it was associated with such names as those of Nellie Stewart and May Beatty, and those who saw last night's performance probably agreed that it was well worthy of preservation Abundant Comedy From the first act, when the hero is made to leave h's shore employment at St. Malo and join a French privateer, to his final victorious sword-fight with his lady-love's Spanish suitor on the island of Fstrella, Mr. Gregory Stroud made Paul Jones a manly fellow and wore a series of gay uniforms to the manner born. His fine baritone was fully equal to the demands of the role. Miss Helen Langton was a charming Yvonne, niece of the old ship-chandler Bicoquet, a part played with much humour by Mr. Richard Vatson. The English version of tho opera provides an unusual array of comic charactors, and in the iirst two acts most of the laughter was provoked by Mr. Clifford Cowley, as the elderlv and henpecked smuggler Bouillabaisse, and Mr. Tommy Jav, as his gawky young assistant. Their principal vocal effort. "Two Mariners Bold," was prolonged by several extra verses dealing with such up-to-the-minute topics as dictation tests, running-shoes and the current test match. Some of these were used to satisfy emphatic demands for encores. A Jolly Finale Mr. Ivan Men/.ies took complete charge ot the third act. in which he made a first appearance as the Spanish governor of an imaginary isle, an old gentleman with magnificent epaulettes and a wig, make-up and titter very reminiscent of a pantomime dame. Romance way almost entirely to farce, including jukes of the very latest "knock, knock" variety, which never failed to bring down the house. Miss Langton was warmly applauded for her rendering of the solos "J lie Merman's Cave" and "Before the Altar." Among the best of the concerted numbers were tho duct "Little Bird on Weary Wing," by Mr. Stroud and Miss Langton, the trio "O'er Ocean Gleaming," and the serenade "Lull'd by Waves," and the finales of the first and second acts. Miss Eileen Kelly was vivacious and sang well as the hot-tempered wife Chopinctte. Mr. Godfrey Stirling filled the unsympathetic Vole of the Spanish officer Martinez as well as a naturally pleasant temperament would allow. "'Paul Jones" will bo presented again at matinee and evening performances to-day, and to-morrow it will be succeeded by "The Pirates of Penzance" and'"Trial by Jury."