J.C. WILLIAMSON'S NEW COMIC OPERA COMPANY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 11880, 16 January 1914, Page 3

J. C. WILLIAMSON'S NEW COMIC OPERA COMPANY.

"THE COUNT OF LUXEMBOURG. , '

To-morrow morning, at S o'clock, the box plans will be opened at. The Dresden for the initial and only performance by J. C. Williamson's New Comic Opera Company, which numbers over 150 artists i of the stupendous an-d gorgeously mounted musical play, "The Count of Luxembourg," which is to be staged on Tuesday night. Quito a feature of "The Count of Luxembourg" is the introduced dances and tho waltz up the staircase. The latter is executed by Miss Florence Young and Mr Frank Greene; they waltz up a ilight of stairs, thence along a balcony and down the steps on the opposite side, and all the time they have to keep time to Franz Lehar's delightful waltz melodies. The effect is-said to be gracefully artistic, and at the same time most unique. The new comedian, Mr Phil Smith, by his very excellent and most humorous representation of the part of Brissard in "The Count of .. Luxembourg," has, it is stated, fully accounted for the splendid reports which proceded him from London and Sydney, where he is a popular favourite. Besides being one of the best comedy artists the Williamson management have had, he is also the possessor of a good voice, which is a big assistance to a comedian, aud he is also an excellent dancer. Mr Robert Whyte, junr t< is another comedian who has proved a great asset to the company. He is a dry humorist who never fails to get in his points. "Danse Pompenette," executed by the fascinating young Russian dancer and Charlie Albert, created an electric triumph in Sydney and Melbourne, the action of the opera having to be stopped nightly for many minutes owing to the recalls demanded by the audiences. Vlasta Novotna in this feat of acrobatic grace moves, it is said, with a delightful freedom, and when the final eccentricity comes, in a dive of two swaying sensuous bodies, the effect, it is stated, is rather sensational. Miss Dorothy Bruiiton is, it is stated, seen to great advantage in a quaint dance introduced in the second act. "The Count of Luxembourg" is bright and tuneful, and right through there is a succession of good numbers, and it possesses all the coiiconnmttaii''e that »o to make up a~ successful musical play.