EVELYN GARDINER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 65, 17 March 1936, Page 2

EVELYN GARDINER

| So anxious was Evelyn Gardiner to I return to Australia and New Zealand I —it is four years since she appeared | here with the last Gilbert and Sullivan I < onipany—that when opportunity arose j she cheerfully abandoned a contract to appear at the Princess Theatre, London, stopped work on a “talkie” which I she was making with Derek Oldham, ■ himself an old Savoyard, packed her trunks, and sailed for Sydney. I “After leaving Australia three years | ago,” said Miss Gardiner to an Auckland interviewer, we played in South 1 Africa, where we had a most suecessi ful six months’ tour and a very delightful time generally. On my return j to England I had another opportunity of playing opposite Sir Henry Lytton •in •‘The Mikado” and “The Gondoliers,” in roles that have become ilI most second nature to me. 1 also made fan appearance with Miss Beatrix Thomson in a modern comedy. This was something of a coincidence, as Miss Thomson was the first, actress I t obtain her “A” flying licence in England, ami I happened to he the first to gain it in Australia. I learned to ily when last in Australia, but had little opportunity to get into the air in England. I am looking forward to a re- [ fresher course now that I am back.” Miss Gardiner prefers playing iu Gilbert ami Sullivan tn any other form of theatrical work. Iler favourite roles are Katishn in “The Mikado.” and Ruth in < ‘Th n Pirates of Penzance.” She affirms that the popularity of the Savoy operas in England shows >;o signs of waning. “The standard of performance.” she says, “is constantly becoming higher, and very many foreigners have learned to appreciate these unrivalled classics of Britisn music, humour ana satire.”