THE MAID OF THE MOUNTAINS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18606, 14 July 1922, Page 2

THE MAID OF THE MOUNTAINS

A ROMANTIC OPERA. After six months in Melbourne, and a further six months in Sydney, and a more recent four weeks in Auckland, the notable comio opera, “The Maid of the Mountains.” will bo een here, under the J. C. Williamson direction, on Wednesday next. Of this musical achievement bile critic of the Auckland Star writes: “When they count their wealth indifferently in lire and francs, when the women are a pleasing compound of Italy and Spain, when the men are all either gorgeous soldiers in uniforms with one sleeve too many or else bronzed sailors garbed like the rainbow you can be pretty certain you are somewhere in the neighbourhood of that pleasant land where Rupert of Hentzau spread himself, the Prisoner of Zenda served, his sentence, and our old fjiends the Graustarks were regal in such a delightfully democratic way. It is a quite impossible country, a queer compound of sunshine, gay colours, and bright people ruled by a oomio governor, but the least frivolous of us is generally ready for a trip over the footlight border to wonder among tho mountains with the brigands, or 101 l in the orangery of its marble halls with its courtiers and its lovely ladies. Bom in London, ‘The Maid of the Mountains’ is yet obviously a subject of the country so beloved of novelists and people who make musical comedies. She was _ warmly welcomed to Auckland last night at His Majesty’s, where she was introduced by the J. 0. Williamson Royal Comics, who have never given a more pleasing performance. Everyone knows tho delightful music by this time, for it is five years since the young woman first made her debut, and, those who wore present last night were equally pleased with the throe admirable scones in which the story is told and the amusing people who tell it.” As Teresa (tho maid of the mountains), Miss Sheila Gale will make her first appearance here. Miss Gale is amongst the foremost of English comedy musical stars. She has played the part in London and New York with acknowledged success. A big asset to the general suooess must be Mr W. S. Percy, who has been specially engaged to play the big comedy part of Tonio. Tho box plans will be opened at the Bristol this morning at 8 o'clock.