ROYAL COMIC OPERA

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12285, 6 April 1918, Page 7

ROYAL COMIC OPERA

A RETURN SEASON.

Opens with “ Katlnßa."

The J. C. Williamson Royal Comic Company, headed by Aliss ,Flor- - A ence Young, will make a welcome reap- ‘ pearanco next week.’ Of “Katinka,’’- ■ tho new musical play to be produced f. tor the first time here by the. company-/T----on luo.sday week, a prominent New - \or\i critic writes as follows Kn- - ,J "j tinka” has a place of its own in tho''catcgory of musical plays. There i?i\ ; the feature of atmospherical fitness U;* which gives prominence to the dual merits of the respective artists,/:" and there is that other feature which ' „ lifts it into the idyllic realms of imag- ■ *" illation nid pantomimic poetry. It was' 44 a happy conceit to introduce into the.:' ■ entertainment two scenes of such artis-c > tic effect and exquisite proportion the old Staniboul sheet and bazaar,-'" and the scene depicting the Turquois6|t--’ Cafe in-Paris. Both scenes are in contrast, and it< is difficult to- say,which is the more artistic. 'To the,- 5 • music nothing but praise can bo given. It is easily head and shoulders over the ordinary musical comedy quality. _ It is throughout of the... brightest and? freshest description, some of. the num-i . hers going, remarkably close to grand operg. The play is" bound to makjbiPff ■ imediate success. ‘‘ Katinka ” comes with the reputation •of being ''’ something different.” Besides the glory of, fine "music, there is a bustliug_ story,with which is intertwined a fascinating'.' love romance. It promises to, abound - in comedy of an infectious typers As' Thaddeus T. Hopper. Mr Phil Smith will be at his best. The part is stuffed with witticisms. This popular comedianhas a knack of making these appear to spring spontaneously from his fertile; imagination. The dashing Ivan Bens will doubtless give Air Reginald Rob-, erts an opportunity to do full justfice, to himself in the dual capacity of actor and vocalist. Much fine music has beenallotted to Katkina, which will he played by Aliss Gladys Moncneff. Miss Florence Young as Mrs Hopper should be a tower of artistic strength. It is. both a powerful singing and acting part, and one in which "this favourite artist mnv bo sure to be seen to admir- ~ able advantage. “ Katinka ” will be; ; played for the first three nights, and will be followed (for two nights each); In- ‘-'Mv .Manhattan'” and “The Red Wide-.’’ The box plaws-open at Ahl- •* nev and Thompson’s on Friday next.