MARIE BURKE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20022, 12 February 1927, Page 8

MARIE BURKE.

KATJA, WILDFLOWER, AND FRASQUITA. Commencing on Thursday, February 24, the J. C. Williamson (Ltd.), musical comedy company, including the celebrated artist Miss Marie Burke, will begin a season of seven nights in a magnificent production, staged for the first time here, of the picturesque and very tuneful and phenomenally successful comic opera “Katja,” which has attracted record audiences wherever it has been staged. Owing to the brevity of the season, only four nights can be devoted to “Katja,” and on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 1 and 2, Franz Lehar’s beautiful comic opera, “Frasquita,” will be produced. This opera has ’ot yet been staged in Australia or New Zealand, but its premiere is to happen at the Theatre Royal, Christchurch, on Saturday night next. Mr Charles A. Wenman, an associate director of J. C. Williamson (Ltd.), and the supervisor of their most important productions, is at present in Christchurch supervising the rehearsals, and Miss Minnie Everett has also come from Sydney to create and arrange the ballets and dances. Mr John H. Tait ir also on the scene of operations. Two representations only can be staged of “Frasquita,” and on Thursday, March 3 a brilliant revival of the delicious comic opera “Wildflower” will be performed. The opening representation of “Katja will signalise the reappearance of the charming actress. Miss Marie Burke, who created a furore of enthusiasm when she last appeared here in “Wildflower. It will also introduce Mr R. Barrett-Len-nard, a famous London light comedian who is already a established favourite with playgoers of Australia nad New Zealand; Miss Babette Odeal, a dainty London comedienne and dancer; and Mr Noel Dainton, a well-known English actor. The company, which number;- over 80 artists, also includes Mr Cecil Kell away, the popular character comedian; Miss Thelma Burness, who last appeared here with the Pauline Frederick Company; Mr Herbert Browne, the brilliant young lyric tenor, who achieved outstanding successes in “Sally” and “Wildflower”: Mr Charles Zoli, Miss Marie Eaton, Mr Frank Hawthorne, and other well-known artists. Features of the productions are the chorus and the ballet. The box plans for “Katja, “Frasquita,” and “Wildflower will be opened on Tuesday, February 22,