GILBERT & SULLIVAN OPERAS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 64, 16 March 1936, Page 9

GILBERT & SULLIVAN OPERAS

PLANS CPEN TO-MORROW. To-morrow morning, at the D.1.C., box plans will be opened for the three performances to be given in the Opera House next Saturday and Monday by the J.C. Williamson, Ltd., Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company. The operas to be presented are “Tne Mikado ” on Saturday afternoon, ‘‘The Gondoliers,” on Saturday night, and “The Yeomen of the Guard” ou Monday night. It is interesting to note that as a result of plebiscites held throughout Australia during the tour of the preesnt company, “’lhe Yeoman of the Gaurd” has advanced to the position of first favourite among the devotees of the Savoy Operas. “The Mikado” and “The Gondoliers” were about equal in second place, with ‘‘lolanthe” next. It may seem surprising that such old favourites as “Pinafore” and “The Pirates” were comparatively neglected. Local theatregoers will look forward to seeing, and hearing, the extremely droll Mr. Ivan Menzies in such a “fruity” role as the Duke of PlazaToro, who “In enterprise of martial kind, When there was any fighting, Led his regiment from behind. He found it les l ’ exciting.” Miss Evelyn Gardiner, in the Katisha roles, and Mr. Gregory Stroud, baritone. are well remembered from the previous tour. Newcomers from the D’Ovley Carte company are Miss Winifred Lawson, soprano, Mr. Richard Watson, bass, and Mr. Godfrey Stirling, tenor. Mr. Leo Packer is the musical director. With the object of interesting the vounger generation in these clasics offßritish humour and operatic mu«ic. the management offers a halfprice to children at all performances