"RUDDIGORE."

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19147, 2 November 1927, Page 10

"RUDDIGORE."

GILBERT AND SULLIVAN SEASON. THEATRE ROYAL. It is one of the many virtues of repertory companies that with the need for constant changes of plays, their vitality is stimulated, making invariably for increased efficiency as welL Although the present Gilbert and Sullivan combination have been 'on tour since their last visit here, they re-appear, nevertheless, with two additions to their former list. The first of these, "Ruddigore," opened their return season at the Theatre Royal last night. Gilbert must have been in one of his most ferocious moods when he hatched the plot of "Ruddigore." It is supposed to parody melodrama, aud revolves round a curse which compels the living head of a family of peers to commit a crime every day, or incur tho penalty of a lingering death, presumably of the "Mikado" type, "something humorous with boiling oil in it." But no details are given. It is a big order; the heir resigns his rank to his younger brother,. handing over to him the whole business of crime with all the assets and liabilities and retiring into rural obscurity. Of course Sir William Gilbert is shrewd enough to leave the ghastly side entirely in the background so that all, except the ghost scene, remains merry enough. Of course that mischievous sprite, Cupid, steps in and things happen. The true Gilberfcian touch is revealed when the ancestors step out of their frames and state that they had no right to die leaving unfulfilled their own gruesome obligations. Thus the brothers are released and all ends with wedding bells. Sullivan's music is really wonderful in its variety and ingenuity, gay, graceful, sprightly almost throughout the opera, and never commonplace. In the ghost-scene it assumes an appropriate dramatic tone, with-much skill. Particularly well set and charming are the duets and trios of the first act, and the elaborate finale.

In the matter of stagecraft and the I well-planned evolutions nothing but praise is due to the management. The opening scene in a glorified fishing village is very charming, the dresses bright and tasteful, and everything points to expert hands. The first appearance of the chorus was the most tuneful, as far as the use of their voices is concerned. Thanks to the firm grip of Mr Gustav Slapoffski, the orchestra acted most efficiently and everything ran smoothly without awkward breaks. In the principals we welciAned again last year's singers, the ladies Stella Wilson,. Patti Russell, and Winifred Williamson, and Messrs Walenn, James Hay, John Ealston, and Bernard Manning. Miss Strella Wilson, as the village belle, who always consults her book l of comportment before she commits herself to action, made her prominent part very attractive by her living presentation. Dame Hannah found in Miss Winifred Williamson a very able exponent both in acting and singing, and the excellent style of Miss Patti Russell's singing of "Cheerily Carols the Lark" deserves, special commendation. For once, Mr Charles Walenn was seen in a bashful part, but good as ever. Mr James Hay made a capital "Richard," singing well, dancing expertly, and acting with a fine spirit. For the wicked Sir Despard Mr John Ralston was aptly chosen, being particularly clever in the ghost scene, and Mr Bernard Manning as the spokesman, of the ghosts, sang very well indeed. The ghosts, by the: way, looked very hale and well fed. All the minor parts were ably filled. ' The reception of the opera was very cordial abd plentiful applause never} missing. '

America. The conflict between the Bible and evolution is based, I believe, on history. When the Reformation started, the great and vital want of the Beforaers was an infallible authority corresponding to that of the Pope. So the Bible took, his place. The doctrine of Papal infallibility had then no limit. Whatever he said was infallibly true. If he declared that two and two make five it was the duty of the faithful to believe it, and all who didn't would be denounced as heretics. This continued until (in the seventeenth century, I think), under the influence of the Order of Jesuits, the doctrine was cut down to matters of faith and morals. In mat-' ters of fact, the Popo was no wiser than his fellows. Unfortunately the Protestants have not done the same with the Bible. Its verbal inspiration and infallibility still stands spit© of geology, palaeontology,, and all the other scientific ologies that have been born since the Reformation. That's the cause of all the trouble, and it seems to me that it must continue until Mr Isitt and i the other. Fundamentalists take a leaf out of the book of their Catholic friends, i This once done and, as many good people believe, there would be pgace in the Protestant Churches.

A friend of mine told me dolefully the other day that whilst anxious to take a hand in things political he couldn't make up his mind as to Party. And yet, as I told him, there is plenty of .variety., Mrst the Government. Mr Coates, the leader, has a large though somewhat loose majority. "They said everywhere at election time that he was the man to do things, ,to get them done," cried my friend, "but what has he done?" "Well," said I, "election cries have had their day. But he is in, and though he may have done nothing in particular, yet he has done it very well. He is still in, you can't deny that." "No," said he, somewhat grudgingly, "but—" "Well, my good fellow, if you don't like the Government, there's his Majesty's Opposition —the Labour Party, headed by Mr Holland." "Yes," said he with a laugh, "he has been cooing and wooing at the farmers, but without much, success." "Granted," I rejoined, "but that was a mere experiment. The first duty of the Opposition is to oppose, and that the Labour Party does consistently and persistently, in season and out of season." "But is that all?" said he. "No," I replied impressively. "The Labour 3*arty has a policy, though it's in the background. Once in, they say, and we will make New Zealand a paradise. Higher wages and shorter working hours. Capital down, Labour up. That 's the policy that will make everybody happy and prosperous." My friend laughed a hollow laugh. "If not satisfied with the Labour Party," said I, "There's the Nationalist Party, with Mr Forbes as nominal leader." "And what's their little game?" said he. "I'm not quite sure," I replied. "I .believe they want to get in, and arc waiting for the sky to fall, when there will be a great catching of larks." He scoffed. "Come now," said I, "if none of these satisfy you, what do you think of the fourth Party?" "And that!" he cried. "That," said I, impressively, "is the Party, conspicuous'.for its solidarity and unanimity. It's the Party of one—no less—Sir Joseph Ward, the only Liberal in the House." "And what is he aiming at?" "He? Well," said I, "tee's—well, he's looking on and waiting for what may turn up." "Then," said my friend, "let him wait. I guakTll s? it t00.'2