ROYAL COMIC OPERA COMPANY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1339, 23 December 1915, Page 34

ROYAL COMIC OPERA COMPANY.

The Royal Comic Opera Company, under the direction of J. C. Williamson,. Ltd., will commence a season of thirteen nights at His Majesty’s Theatre, Auckland, on Boxing Night. Musical comedy has a never-failing appeal to the tired business man and to the feminine heart. In these days of grim war one naturally seeks relief from the multitudinous horrors that are daily chronicled. It is a physical necessity. In times of peace, comfort and material well- being, it is possible- the instincts of playgoers are towards the emotional drama. At present, however, the newspapers are head-lining heroism and tragedy at first hand, consequently to preserve the mental balance one and all turn from the cares of the world to light, bright entertainment. It is not a mood so much as a need. The theatre is so much the life of a community that amusement is as essential to the mind as light is to the body. Therefore musical comedy, with its irresponsibility and clever nonsense, has an important bearing in the daily lite of the people. For years the firm of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., have been recognised purveyors of this brilliant class of entertainment. No expense has been spared by this organisation to give the public the best, and it is affirmed that in the case of the coming attractions playgoers will have no cause to regret or withhold a generous patronage. With such names in the company as Misses Ethel Cadman. (who will make her first appearance here), Minnie Love, Maggie Moore, Ethel Bennetto, Addie Lennard, Nellie Payne, Florence Young (who has been specially engaged for this tour), Mrs.-George Lauri, together with Messrs. Reginald Roberts, Derek Hudson (his first appearance here), Claude Bantock, Phil Smith and Leslie Holland, a series of good performances may be anticipated. The programme announced is an unusually generous one. No less than six musical comedies and comic, operas will be presented durihg the season, as follows and in order named: —“Gipsy Love” (for the first time here), “Our Miss. Gibbs,” “Paul Jones,” “The Quaker Girl,” “Ma Mie Rosette,” and “The'Dancing Mistress” (for the first time here). “Gipsy Love” will be given for the first three nights, and each of the others for two nights only. The box plans for the first seven nights (“Gipsy Love,” “Our Miss Gibbs,” “Paul Jones”) are now open at Wildman and Arey’s.