AUCKLAND THEATRICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1732, 10 May 1905, Page 29

AUCKLAND THEATRICAL NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) During the past week more changes of programme have been given us by the J. C. Williamson Repertoire Company. “lolanthe” has given place to “The Yeoman of the Guard,” which was played to good houses for three nights. If the late Sir Arthur Sullivan ever confessed to a weakness for any one of his operas it was “The Yoenian.” While it does not sparkle and scintillate like “The Mikado,” it lias an atmosphere peculiarly its own, and in parts suggests grand opera. The performance© given of this piece were in every way noteworthy, and a vast improvement on “lolanthe.” Most of the five musical numbers, barring the “Merry Man” duet were done ample justice to. The chorus work was adequate, particularly in the numbers, “Hail, the Valiant FelLow,” “The Leonard Meryll” chorus, and “Night has Spread her Pall.” The splendid solo, “Free from his Fetters Grim,” was grandly sung by Mr Kenningham, and his other work i - n the opera was on a very high plane. Miss Aggie Thorn was well cast as Phoebe, her opening solo, ‘AVhen Maiden Loves,” being tastefully sung. Miss Celia Ghiloni’e “Dame Carruthers” was a powerful impersonation, and her solos, “When our Gallant Norman Foes” and “Warders are Ye,” being given in her usual artistic manner. Jack Point, as played by Mr H. H. Wallace, was a trifle weak in the first part of the opera, but this was more than compensated for later on. As Kate, Mies Vinia de Loitte, did good work, while the Elsie Maynard of Miss Dollie Castles was much appreciated. Splendid work was done by the fine orchestra under M. Leon Caron, while the staging and costuming of “The Yeoman” was fully up to Mr J. C. Williamson’s high standard. _ For Friday and Saturday evenings “Pianofore” is underlined, and with this old-time favourite the enjoyable season will be brought to a close.

Mr Alfred Hill, a-nd his collaborator, Mr John Birch (musical and dramatic critic of the "New Zealand Herald"), have the production of their new comio opera well in hand, and it is shaping splendidly at rehearsals. The interest in the production, which eventuates in the last week in June, is growing daily, partly due, no doubt, to the fact that of the 50 or 69 people engaged in the cast, there is not one who is not enthusiastic about tlieir work. I am able this week to give you the complete cast, as follows: Prince Omar (ruler or the dominion of Sas, Morocco), Mr H. B. Coney; Elferino (Zara's Lieutenant), Mr M. Hamilton Hodges); Alii Mehemet (the DivorcerGeneral), Mr T. J. Dunningham; Gastro (the Prince's steward —masquerading aa his royal master), Mr Geo. Warren; Cassim (Alli’s slave), Mr J. Fort; Abdullah (Alli's slave), Mr A. S ; . Coney; Princess Ilashma (ruler of the dominion of Sis), Mis 3 Lucie Ehrenfried; Mena (a Moorish maid), Miss Marion Mitchell (Mrs Ernest Davis); May Bilton (leader of an English corps-de-ballet), Miss Cissy Sanford (Mrs Chas. Phillips); and Zara (chief'tai-ness of a band of Biffian brigands), Madame Lilian Tree. Chorus of Moors, Arabs, Algerians, ladies of the ballet, Riffians, soldiers, slaves, etc., etc. The scene of the new opera is laid in Morocco, and very picturesque scenerylias been painted by Mr Will Diamond, while the dressing is very handsome, and the general colour scheme effective. The production of the opera should certainly mark an epoch in New ZcaJancf theatrical annals, and may go a long way to show that it is not necessary to search outside the colony for operas and performers that will “catch on." I reserve a synopsis of the plot of the HillBirch opera for another occasion. ‘‘Through the Divorce Court" haa drawn good houses to the Opera House during the past week. It has now been withdrawn in favour of a revival of the rather hair-raising “Face at the Window.” “The Face" proved a strong trump card in the Anderson programme on a previous visit, and one need not wonder that its success is being repeated. The next Anderson.an production avill be the popular melodrama “Th Best Must Win."

Auckland will shortly have a return visit from the. popular Westminster Glee Singers. The company now consists of a double male quartette, with seven solo soprano boys. Madame Marie Hooton, and Messrs Branscombe, Coward, and Causton are still with the organisation. Mr Branscombe is also bringing with him the Avalon-Collard Comedy Operetta Company, which in each of its bills gives three sketches of farcical and operetta character.