THEATRE ROYAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13941, 29 June 1909, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

•THE MEKRY WIDOW." '.fc is seldom that an opera Las created such a stir in me noiue and in. the office as "The Merry \\idow" lias done in 'JUmarn during the past week. Everyone 1 has. heard of her famous waltz, of' Jier adding another "ereition" to the toque and Uainsborou'h, and of her wonderrul way of drawiig to lier receptions the devotees of the almost antagonistic light operatiee, tae full dramatic feasts. The cynics (all towns have a few) came prepared with their antedated "I told you so/-' but. 'hey. it is sate to say, Ci.ught the fever and reserved their acidity .'or another occasion. The house tint greeted J. C. Williamson's introduction of " The Merry Widow " to Timaru was a record in numbers, in the uniform reserved-seat njice paid, both upsUirs arid down, and also iu absorbed and almost mesmerised interest with which the fascinations of the experienced one was followed. The authors of the libretto cast a certain Prince Danilo in the Eyronic mood, and . iu love with a beautiful widow, but who fears to disclose' his passion because, as before her marriage, he had abandoned her for state reasons, he now thinks she would misinterpret his advances. As tin's lover, Mr Andrew Higginson has a role that shows his taient, builds up for him a. name, and establishes his reputation. Simple and unaffected in manner, absolutely devoid of siage consciousness, disdaining those little tiresome formalities that clog an artist's Hight into the life he is interpreting,. he carried his passions—love, jealousy, pride—into every action, and his final surrender was not certain until the eleventh hour. His baritone voice is pleasing, and he sang with conviction and teivour. iiis :nauy duets with tne Princess were well taken, a?id the devil-may-care abandon lie put into "J'm going to Maxim's," just caught the typa aimed at to the uie. Miss r lorcnc \ouug rs Sonia (the Merry Widow), was in a j-uitable role. Her singing was splendid, nicely modulated and artistic throughout, ami her enunciation agreeaoly distinct. Her dancing iu the elusive waltz with the Prince was an apotheosis ot graceful movement. Mr Victor (iouriet as Baron Popoff,. the Marsonian Ambassador iu l'aris, was a convincingly, credulous, garrulous dotard, who opens his confidential despatches and reads them to his messenger, and regrets that the days of large keyholes in uoors are past. 1 he character itseli is an unnatural and impossible one, but he made the most of the opportunities offered, his humour being clean and bright. Mr W. S. Percy (Xisch, the Legation Messenger) was the real laughter-maker. \% ith a tree commission to work in his gags and asides, he first raised a smile tucn a laugh, and then kept the risible faculties of the audience going, by his slightest movement. Mr liegmalu Roberts, the tenor, as Viconite Camilla dc Jolidon, now and then rose splendidly to the occasion, and Mr C. K. Jiui'+ock as the Marquis -'e Cascada. and Mr A. Arthur, as a military attache also acquitted themselves well. Miss Fanny Dango as Yi Fi gavo a number of bright dances and turns. The chorouses were good, being strong and tuneful, and the orchestra was the best that the great impressario has ever favoured '.i'"ar" witu. The waltz has long been familiar to every-

oiio as far as its melody goes, but as it started away in the far distance last night with its simple strain, supported ivy a massive wealth of harmony, gradually increasing in volume and creeping nearer in pulsating, swelling waves, it had a grip that was an anehantment, mid a message that commanded homage. The arpeggios on the harp added greatly to the, effe'-t. and were the audience able, the Merry Widow and the Prince would have had a full floor swinging witli them by the time the orchestra struck tiie forte repeat. The scenery was in keeping with requirements. The setting for the garden looked well, and the visit to Maxim's Paris Restaurant showed a close study of detail. It is a pity that the talented company cannot spend another night in Timaru. It cannot be for want of appreciation that the season lias been confined to one night.