J. C. WILLIAMSON'S COMIC OPERA COMPANY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17470, 2 June 1922, Page 12

J. C. WILLIAMSON'S COMIC OPERA COMPANY.

"MERBIE ENGLAND." To write a comic opera which can be loro pared favourably with the wor operas of Gilbert and Sullivan is a lot * hic » {all* to very few composers. In - England" Basil Hood -nd Edward have achieved a triumph which entit eto rank with the men whoso I" "> s crowded attendances at every T .:-odiiction in the Savoy Theatre. Edward mainly responsible for the success of England," for the music is of a . standard indeed, but the d-al-VP® very bright. One noticeable feature o presentation by the J. C. °{ Dany is the wonderfully faithiul wU.W..01 the opera—the scenery and < drcs. ■ ... . very evidently the resu.t of much intelligent thought and skilful workmm-s upters in the story are Qu«n. •Walter Raleigh, ihe Earl o. ~ Hood, and many others of iinio. of the principals thraiuhnit the v , mends admiration. The acting of Mi , H. Workman is splendid. ,In hn. " '„^ r . of a Shakespearean f!<:r>r -"if ''YV ance on the stage was the signal foi ment on the part of the large and enthusiastic audience last ' i-'ht. One < f 1 . standing successes of the opera is -.Jr man's song "King Xeptune Si't on h£ I <>nel> Throne." The part of the Ean of Essex is taken bv Mr A. Jlowett-Worster, the celebrated English baritone, who hearJ to great advantage in the soug 'The 1 "Oiue of England.". ■ Mr Howett-TVorster received a great reception from 'lie au-.liente. - iss Patti Russell, who is very in t-'irist-church, interpreted :ier part as a ir.oi o honour with an casv that pleased all. He.r sinjqino- was enthusiastically received. as Queen Elizabeth, iiss M.,ily Tvve-1 «»« 'he most of her part, and sang 'O Peaceful England" in pleasing fashion. Mr Chajles Atcttum, who has an attractive tenor voice, plays the part of Sir \* alter Jialeiyri work of the other artists is also excellent, '•'he chorus, which was so prominent auung the last season of the Gilbert and Siuhvan oparas in Chiistchurch, is popu* iur, while tlir* orchestra, under iir Gusta\e i Slapoffski, is very efficient. ''Jlerrie England'' w:Il be played for the I last time this evening.

"The Yeomen of the Guard." There will bo a revival of Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Yeomen of the Guard" to-mor-row afternoon and evening. Mr Charles Workman, who jlays -Jack Point," was the original "Jack P'oir.t" of the opera at the Savoy Theatre, London. Heating the Theatre. Mr John Tait, general director of the J. C. Williamson-J. and N. Tait combination, is at present in Wellington, having come to Zealand from Australia on a business visit. Mr Scott Colvillo, manager of th* Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Co., t?legraphed to him making certain recommendations in regard to the proner heating of the Theatre Royal Mr Tait replied last night instructin" Mr Colvillo to carry out the scheme outlined by him, and Mr Colvillo hopes to have it in operation to-night, when the building should be thoroughly warm and comfortable. If Mr ColviUe's scheme is a auccefls-ar.d no doubt it will be-Christ-church theatre-goers will ba truly thankful.