AT THE THEATRE.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18344, 2 June 1931, Page 5

AT THE THEATRE.

GILBERT AND SULLIVAN. THE FROCKS IN “lOLANTHE.” ■••• The Theatre Royal was en feto on Saturday night for the premiere of “lolanthe" (says the Australasian, published in Melbourne). The decorations had been left from the gala performance on boat race night, and much enthusiasm was displayed when the raoe was soreened during one of the intervals, and the winning orew was heartily applauded. Hundreds of balloons in the publlo sohool colours, and fairy lights all over the theatre, added to tho carnival atmosphere, which made ■ a fitting sotting for the falry-liko grace of tho opera, Tho first soeno, an Arcadian landscape, with tho fairies “tripping hither, tripping thithor," was dollghtfuliy pictorial, tho fairies woaring draped gowns of pastel-tinted satin, with a chain of gloaming silver runlng from tho right shoulder to the left hip. Gossamer wings, sparkling silver cirolet headdresses, and diamantestudded fairy wands completed their charming costumes. The “most influential fairy” of the song is Dorothy Gill, the fairy queen, who Is a splendid figure in her gown of Ivory ninon patterned on the hem of the deep tunic with a Grecian pattern In gold thread. • On her head she wears a gold helmet from which gleaming wings extend at either side. Sparkling jewels on her corsage matched the glittering tip of her wand, and wing-like draperios of mistgreen chiffon are attached to her arms from the back. When summoned from “dark exile,” lolanthe (Miss Mary Hotham) is draped in seaweed, as became one who has spent years at the bottom of u pond “with the frogs”; but, on being pardoned by the Queen, she reveals herself a sylph-like figure, in clinging white satin and silver diamente. In the second act she covers her radiant beauty with a gossamer veil of ivory chiffon, which hangs from a glittering circlet. Quite in keeping with this fairy atmosphere Is Phyllis (Miss Marie Bremner), who is a dainty “Dresden china" figure, with her pale blue taffetas skirt, pouched back to show a pink satin petticoat trimmed with lace and rosebuds. A flat wreath-encircled iiat, perched at a piquant angle on her curled while wig, adds charm to this attractive costume. Her shepherd lover, Strcphon (Mr Gregory Stroud) wears a gold and pink brocade coat over his pink satin knee-breeches, and a three-cornered hat on his curled wig. “THE LOVE RACE.” NEW MUSICAL COMEDY. The opening night of a new muiscal comedy, ‘‘The Love Race,” drew a crowded house to Her Majesty's Theatre. Sydney, and proved entertaining in the most modern maner. The dressing of the ladies in the long cast was charming, the long, tube-like gowns fitting the figure like a glove, and falling in straight lines to flow out into an airy swirl of folds with each movement. Miss .Tosie Melville wore in one scene a long frock or pale green chiffon, fitting so closely that she looked as if she had been poured into it; wide wing sleeves, with deep flounces, and green shoes completed (he picture. The ballets are frequent and beautiful. In one of llicm the 16 dancers wear long frocks of figured chiffon and huge crin hats, shaped like scoops, and worn well at the back of the head, and their .32 feet moved with complete unity. Miss Dorothy Brunlon. who occupied a stage box, received a great, ovation from the audience, and was presented with some lovely flowers.