"WHITE HORSE INN"

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22823, 6 March 1936, Page 8

"WHITE HORSE INN"

J. C. WILLIAMSON'S MAMMOTH PRODUCTION Applications for preferential booking for the grand opening gala performance of J. C. Williamson, Ltd.'s spectacular musical play, " White Horse Inn," which takes place on Saturday week, and for subsequent presentations, will be received at the D.I.C. up to noon to-mor-row, and the ordinary box plans will be opened on Tuesday morning next. Firstnighters are requested to collect their tickets before noon to-morrow. From time to time, extending over a period of years, the directors of J. C. WilliamLtd., have presented to playgoers a number of remarkably spectacular productions, including " Chu Chin Chow, "Rose Marie,'' and "Desert Song," but it has been generally acknowledged that they have surpassed all their previous efforts in the presentation of the stupendous musical play "White Horse Inn." which, it is claimed, for sheer magnificence completely overshadows any stage production previously seen in New Zealand. When the London director of J. C. Williamson, Ltd.. saw the original production at the Coliseum Theatre he immediately concluded that it would be impossible to reproduce it in Australia, but eventually, at a cost of over iou.OOO, "White Horse Inn" was staged in Sydney and Melbourne, where in each cityit ' created a sensation, and attracted record audiences for over 12 months, thus justifying the enterprise of the Williamson, Ltd., management. After its run in those cities the whole of the scenery and effects were stowed away because a tour of Now Zealand with such a mammoth production seemed quite impossible, quite recentlv, however, the principal producers, mechanists, electricians, and technical cxpevts attached to His Majesty s Theatre, Melbourne, were called together, and, after discussion which went on from day to dav for a week, it was decided that all obstacles could be overcome by uudlicbV ing several of the biggest effects, including the revolving stage, and local playgoers will now have an opportunity of.enjoying, in their own theatre an exact replica of the gigantic London Coliseum iheatie production of "White Horse Inn." Three complete staffs of mechanics electricians, and technical experts have had to be engaged, one to travel a week ahead o the company, one to travel withi it, and the other to remain behind after each season in order to pack up one of the two revolving stages. The enormous expense which this alone involves can be imagined, and, even if the various theatres are taxed to their utmost capacity at the prices charged for the London production, it would still be difficult to make a profit from the New Zealand tour. There are no fewer than 15 magnificent scenes in "White Horse Inn," but the comprehensive revolving stage will obviate any waits between them. When White Horse Inn " was produced at the Coliseum Theatre, London, it marked a new era in stage presentations, and it was acclaimed as an effective reply to the ta lues. The same remark may now be applied to the New Zealand production of this mnmmotn musical play. The artists to appear m "White Horse Inn" include a number who are well and popularly known in New Zealand, among whom are Romo a Hansen, Herbert Browne. Alfred I nth, Don Nicol. Marie Cbnan (a noted London artist). Miriam Lester, Jeanne- Battye, Leah Miller, Alban Mack, Colin Crane, and Charles Albert. Altogether there are over 150 people concerned in the production, including a full operatic orchestra and chorus. . The box plans will be opened at the I) I C on Tuesday morning at 9 o clock. A.'queue will be formed from 8 a.m.