J. C. WILLIAMSON OPERA COMPANY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22196, 24 February 1934, Page 19

J. C. WILLIAMSON OPERA COMPANY

"THE MERRY WIDOW” The J. C. Williamson, Ltd., new comic opera company, numbering over 70 artists, which is to begin a season at His Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday afternoon and evening next in “The Merry Widow,” was acclaimed in» Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch as the best organisation of singers, comedians and dancers which has been' seen in New Zealand during recent years. .“The Merry Widow ” will be 1 staged for four nights and two matinees (Saturday and Wednesday), and it will be followed by one performance of “ The Arcadians ” on Thursday, March 8. “ Florodora ” will be produced on Friday, Saturday, and Monday nights, March 9, 10, and 32, and on Saturday afternoon, March 10, and “ Wildflower ” on Tuesday and Wednesday nights and Wednesday afternoon, March 13 and' 14. On Thursday and Friday nights,- March 15 and 16, “ A Country Girl ” will be revived, and on Saturday afternoon and evening, March 17, the season will conclude with two special performances of “ Katinka.” The opening night of “ The Merry Widow ” in Christchurch was an outstanding success. and one that will live. for a long while in the memory of those 1 who were fortunate enough to obtain seats. The whole of the dress circle and reserved stalls were sold out the day before the initial performance, and there were no tickets left in the gallery after 10 o’clock on the morning of the performance. Encores and double encores were frequent and at the close of the performance a scene of remarkable enthusiasm' took place. The 'artists were called before the curtain again and again, and it was# fully 15 minutes after the final fall of the curtain befpre the audience left theatre. Afterwards a large crowd gath'ered outside the stage 'door to say good night to the principals of the company. Critics have been unanimous in stating that the latest J. C. AVilliamson, Ltd ; presentation of Franz Lehnr’s entrancing opera is, superior froni every point of view to any previous production of it which has been staged in New Zealand. 1 When “ The Merry Widow ”, was first produced it brought an unaccustomed atmosphere, but that is only one reason for its everlasting popularity. The music is much aliove the average of comic opera,, and its story unfolds a delicious love romance. The authors provided some excellent material for ‘the comedians, and the scenic artist and the creators of the costumes and dresses are all given exceptional opportunities, so that from a humorous ■ and- spectacular point of view “The Merry-Widow” excells the majority of musical plays. The. New Comic Opeqa Company includes the brilliant young soprano singer, .Miss Romola Hansen, who has achieved her best triumph in the role of Sonia in 1 “ The Metry Widow.” Herbert Browne's splendid tenor voice, which was heard here in “The Desert Song” and.“ The New Moon,” is at its best in the music allocated to the.part of de Jolidon, ( Both Phil Smith and Don Nicol, the comedians, were specially engaged for the parts they . portray in ■ The Merry Widow,” and it is said that they create roars of laughter the whole time they are on the stage. The part of Prince Danilo is probably the finest ever conceived for a baritone-juvenile artist, and in the coming production it will be in the hands of Mr Eric Bush, who possesses all the natural assets for the role, Including a good stage presence and a rich baritone voice. He is an exceptionally fine dancer. Miss Lois Green, the soubrette .of the company, became a firm favourite with playgoers of Auckland and ( Wellington, and other welhknown members of . th" company are Marie la Varre, a noted London comedienne, Doris Hopkins, Oliver. Peacock, Stella Collier, Charles Albert, Leah Miller and Mona Zeppol. The full operatic orchestra and chorus are features of the production, and another feature is the work of the talented ballet. The . feature acrobatic dance by Eric Bush and Mona Zcppel in the third act of “The Merry Widow ” created a sensation in Wellington.

The box plans , will be opened at the D. 1.0. on Thursday morning next, at 9 o’clock. „ . ■ ;/