J. C. WILLIAMSON'S COMIC OPERA COMPANY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17472, 5 June 1922, Page 12

J. C. WILLIAMSON'S COMIC OPERA COMPANY.

"THE YEOMEN OP THE GUAED." After an interval o£ ten months, there was a welcome return to Gilbert and Sullivan opera at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night, when the evergreen "The Yeomen of the Guard'' was revived, and a largo audieno3 followed tha, hazardous loareer of Colonel Fairfax, the unhappy lovo atory of poor Jack Point, and the swiftly-changing" fortunes of winsome Elsie Maynard. "Xiio Yeomen of th.3 Guard" is the furthest removed from comic opera of any of the Gilbert and Sullivan piays, but on the other hand it i 3 by far the moat majestic musically of them all, and at times Very nearly approaches grand optra. In fact, there are many who consider it the best of all the great collaborators' efforts, and, from the musical point cf view, it certainly is. ft lost nothing of its excellence at the hands of the J. C. 'Williamson Comic Opera Company on Saturday night, ar.d the audience was" treated to tin evening of complete enjoyment. The principals were all well cast, the orchestra, under the direction of .Mr Gustavo Sla pofTski, brought out the best that is in Sullivan's music, the voices of the chorus were good and blended splendidly, and the scenery and setting werc first-class, ciose attention having been paid to every detnil of the' picturesque costume of the

"Yeomen of the Uuaid, ' and the inteiior of the great Tower of London. As Pcint, disguising his breaking heart undar the guise of a "light-hearted loon," Mr Chas. H. Workman gr.ve a memorable performance, once again showing what a thoroughly .finished actcr li; is. His apparent light-h?arted-ness at the start, and his dramatic expression of grief at the finish were splendidly aone, and he was in truth what he claimed to be, "The saddest Jestor in England. Though not now an. outstanding singer, Mr Workman ma-is the most of his •songs, particularly the haunting dance song, "X Have a Son.g to Sing, 0," with Elsie Maynard, "Hereupon "We're Both Agreed," with Shadbolt, and "Private isuffoon." Hies . Patu Rusfi3ll made a dainty, graceful Elsie Maynard, singing and acting splendidly. Her songs were admirably suited to the range of her voice, and she emerged from a heavy evening's work -triumphantly. Her 'Tis Don?, I Am a Bride," in itself stamped her as a fine linger and h clever 'actress. Misa Byrl Walkelv, a very clever young lady,' gave a vivacious' interpretation of Phoabe Meryll, accentuating all-the coquettish ways and blandishments of that fascinating miss, and singing sweetly. r. Maiden Lcves" and "Were I Thy B.ide" were her best efforts, • while her eosnes with Shadbolt wore exquisite. ■ Miss -Mollis -Tyrell was wholly at home as Dame Carruthers,and her contralto voice w.-.s hoard to advantage in soli and concerted numbers alike. The important part cf Colonel -Fairfax was taken by Mr Charles Mettnm, who was not in the host of health, his singing suffering in consequence. However, tte quaii;;. 01 his ienor noice was apparent. As Servant- Meryll, Mr A.- HowUt-W oister was dignified, yet wholly natural, and he made the best use of his fine speaking and sinking voice. Ml Victor Prince was entirely happy as Shadbolt, the "head '-gaoler 'and atsistani tormentor," and he was reapor.Gi!:!e for the greater part of t-lio for whicli ho was eminently suited. Mr John Ealston had his old part as the .Lieutenant of the Tower, and he filled it well, though ho had not great opportunities for ■ using his resonant bass voice. All the minor parts were filled capably. The pretty quarieta, "When a Wooer Goes A-wooing" and "Strange Adventure," and the trio, "A Man' Who Would Woo," were amongst the best things of tho evening, and must- not be .passed over without reference to tli>3 powerful soprano of Misa Grace Crotty, who made up for her few appearances by her splendid singing when she was on the stage. Principals, chorus, and orchestra alike made the finale to the fr.=i act and the opening of the second something that nrußic-lovers will not soonforget. The only drawback to the delightful evening was the inadequacy of the programme. No matter how well-known the Gilbert and Sullivan operas may be, everyono does not know them by heart, and to have a programme for an opera without any indication whatever of the musical numbers is surely not as it ehouldi be, even in these days of economy#

"Dorothy" To-night. "Dorothy," which is to staged by tie J. C. Williamson Com is Opera Company this, and to-morrow evening, is undoubtedly one of the prettiest comedy operas the stage has known. It is brimful of cartchy melodies, and the comedy is of such a character that it has the audience in laughter the whole tima Lurcher (Mr Charles Workman; is on the stage. "Dorothy" is one of the few comic operas that never grow old', and it will be remembered whisn later day compositions are forgotten. Mr A. ilowett Worster, who hails from Daly's Theatre, London, and who scored an instantaneous success in the first two operas of this season, is at his very best in "Dorothy." His singing of "Queen of My Heart" called forth three encores in Auckland and Wellingtoiv and his magnificent baritone voioe is heard to great advantage in the pretty quartet, "You'll Swear to be Good and True." Playgoers will be delighted to know that as Lurcher, the bailiff, Mr Workman is in his element. His scenes with Mrs Privett (Miss Molly Tvrell) create much laughter. Miss Patti Russell and Miss Bryl Walkely sing and act daintily as Dorothy and Lydia, and Mr Charles Msttam's voice is particularly suited to the part of Geoffrey Wilder. Mr Victor Prince has a congenial part in Squire Bantam, while the rest of the cast haa been carefully selected, and an all-round performance of iry.ellence may be expected. The box plans tor the remainder of the season are now open at The Bristol, and day sale tickets may be obtained at the Toy ; Cave Confectionery.