HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22212, 15 March 1934, Page 11

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE

"THE WILDFLOWER" The concluding performance of "The Wildflower " was given by the J. C. Williamson New Comic Opera Company in His Majesty's Theatre last night before a fairly good attendance. The opera is one which abounds in light-hearted musie and song of the most attractive kind, and it lost nothing in the interpretation given by the members of the company, headed by Romola Hansen and Herbert Browne. A compelling feature of the show was again the humorous work of. Don Nicol, who had an able assistant in Marie La Varre, and the artistic standard of the settings and costuming contributed in no small measure to the success that was undoubtedly achieved.

"A COUNTRY GIRL" To-night and to-morrow night at His Majest's Theatre the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., New Comic Opera Company, which is enjoying the most successful season known in Dunedin during the past eight years, will present for the two nights only "A Country Girl," which is one of the most popular musical comedies the English-speaking stage has ever created. A love story, in which the central figures are a rural beauty (afterwards a very successful actress) and an officer of tha King's Navy, cannot fail to make an appeal to a British audience, and in this instance the author, Mr James T. Tanner, ha 9 sketched an attractive plot, which holds the interest of everybody from beginning to end. Most delightful embroidery has been added to the lyrics by Adrian Ross, and music by Lionel Monckton, and this collaboration has had the happiest possible results. The sparkling music, the. charming ensembles, handsome scenery, superb costuming, the genuinely humorous comedv, the exquisite ballets, and the brilliant work of the operatic chorus and orchestra, have been the factors in riiaking the revival of " A Country Girl' by the present company a big success in Australia. The company is well suited to "A Country Girl." and probably it may be classed as their best all-round performance, lb is said that there is not one single weakness in the long cast of characters. Miss Eomola Hansen will, of course, take the role of Marjorie Joy. a part that may have been written for this very delightful artist. Her glorious soprano voice is heard at its very best in the numbers allocated to the character she portrays, and this evening she should enhance her popularity. Herbert Browne has achieved some of his best successes in Australia in the part of Geofrey Challoner, and his fine tenor voice should be heard to special advantage in the numbers. "A Sailor's Life ' and lie Sailor Man." The two comedians of the company. Phil Smith and Don Nicol, in the characters of Sir Joseph Verity and Barry respectively, will have even greater opportunities in "A Country Girl than they had in the other operas. Dunedin has enjoyed them in to create laughter. As Barry, Mr Nicol keeps his audience in a high state of merriment all he is on the stage. Miss Lois Green as Sophie is associated with him in some of hig most hilarious scenes. Eric Bush has an excellent part in that of Douglas Verity, and Miss Marie La Varre, the very talented comedienne, will receive her best opportunities for the exhibition ot her artistry in the role of Nan. Oliver Peacock is specially suited to the part of the Rajah of Bhong, wlftch he has successfully portrayed in Sydney and Melbourne, Others in the cast include Charles Albert, Stella Collier, Doris Hopkins, Mona Zeppel, and Leslie Crane. The work of the chorus, ballet, and orchestra is an outstanding feature of the revival of " A Country Girl," •, On Saturday afternoon and evening the last production of the season will be staged, when that well-known and popular comic opera " Katinka " will be presented as a farewell offering. The box plans for the remaining nights of the season are open at the D.1.C., and daysale tickets may be obtained at the Rialto Soda Fountain.