“THE MERRY WIDOW.”

Wairarapa Age, 10 March 1934, Page 2

“THE MERRY WIDOW.”

J. C. WILLIAMSON’S OPERA COMPANY. It was the outstanding successes achieved by the Gilbert and Sullivan operas that influenced the J. C. Williamson Ltd., management to again revive 4 ‘The Merry Widow” which is to be staged here by their New Comic Opera company at the . Regent Theatre on Tuesday, March 20. It is interesting to note that wherever the New Comics have staged “The Merry Widow,” during the past twelve months in the principal cities of Australia it has attracted much larger audiences than any of the works of the famous collaborators, and critics are practically unanimous in stating that the latest J. C. Williamson Ltd., presentation is superior from every point of view to any previous production of Franz Lehar’s famous opera. From a humourous and spectacular point of view “The Merry Widow” excels the majority of musical plays. The New Comic Opera company is regarded as the best and strongest aggregation of musical and comedy artists that has toured Australia and New Zealand in recent years. It includes the brilliant young Soprano singer, Miss Romola Hansen, who has achieved her best triumph in the role of Sonia in ‘ ‘ The Merry Widow,” and Herbert Browne’s splendid tenor voice is heard at its best in the music allocated to the part of de Jolidon. Both Phil Smith and Don Nicol, the comedians, were specially engaged for the parts they portray in ‘‘The Merry Widow.” The part of Prince Danilo is probably the finest ever conceived for a baritone-juvenile artist, and in the coming production it will be in the hands of Mr. Eric Bush who possesses all the natural assets for the role, including a good stage presence, a rich baritone voice, and is an exceptionally fine dancer. Miss Lois Green, the soubrette of the company, became a firm favourite wifh playgoers of Auckland and Wellington, and other well known members of the company are Marie La Varre, a noted London comedienne, Doris Hopkins, Oliver Peacock, Stella Collier, Charles Albert, Leah Miller and Mona Zeppel. The full operatic orchestra and chorus arc features of the production and another feature is the work of the talented ballet. The feature acrobatic dance by Eric Bush and Mona Zeppel in the third act of “The Merry Widow” created quite a sensation in Wellington. ,The box plans will be opened at Perry’s on Saturday, March 17 at nine o’clock. A queue will be formed from 8 a,m.