“THE DUBARRY.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20441, 20 October 1934, Page 28 (Supplement)

“THE DUBARRY.”

Stage Attraction Starts Next Saturday.

Sylvia Welling, who will make her first appearance here on Saturday night next in J. C. Williamson’s musical triumph, “The Dubarry,” won star rank in London under the most sensational circumstances, after the German prima donna, Anny Ahlers, became ill and died. The role in which Miss Welling will appear is one that affords the actress outstanding opportunities for singing and acting. Her performance in London made her a worldfamous star, and had she not already been signed up to appear in Australia under the J. C. Williamson, Ltd , management Australian and New Zealand playgoers would not have had the opportunity of seeing her, for her success in “The Dubarry” was followed by several brilliant offers from London and New York theatrical and film managements. “The Dubarry” created a furore of enthusiasm in Sydney, w r here it ran for over sixteen weeks, and its season in Melbourne extended over a similar period.

The play is a series of quick-moving scenes with only one interval. According to Australian newspapers, there are many scenes and costumes of exceptional charm and spectacular beauty. Outstanding ambng the scenes is the salon of the Mareohale in Act Jf. showing an interior all rose and gold, the minuet at the end making what has been described as the most artistic tableau the stage has ever seen. Another lovely scene is said to be that in which eight odalisques are seen reclining on velvet couches, posed according to the ideas on deportment of Madame Sauterelle, whom somebody described, with truly French politeness, as a specialist in love. Carl Millocker’s music is much above the average heard in comic opera and musical comedy, and it is characterised by grace and tunefulness. Some of it has a richly sensuous appeal. The company, numbering over 120 artists, selected to support Sylvia Welling is one of the best that has ever appeared in any one production under the J. C. Williamson management, including as it does Cecil Kellaway, John Dudley (his first appearance here), Leslie Holland, Ivy Kirby (her first appearance here), Jean Duncan, Richard Parry, Lorna Forbes, Lou Vernon. Clifford Cowley, Cecil Powley, Douglas Herald and a full grand opera chorus. The organisation also includes a talented ballet and a band of twenty-five players.

During the brief season the company will also appear in Strauss’s beautiful comic opera, “Waltzes- from Vienna.” The box plans for “The Dubarry” will be opened at the D.T.C. on Wednesday morning next at nine o’clock. A queue x/ill be formed from 8 a.m.