COMEDY OPERA.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19153, 9 November 1927, Page 14

COMEDY OPERA.

" lOLANTHE " REVIVED. GILBERT AND SULLIVAN SEASON The opera "lolanthe," Gilbert's brated skifc on tho British House of Lords, enjoyed interesting revival at the I ca ro Royal last niglit, and the performance proved vastly pleasing & crowded house. It WM » wl.ims.cal nociou nltogether to brills association and competition opposites as fairies and I* 8 * 1 ® most the development of the idea nv amusing situations were created, ouilivan's music was happily w ~ the libretto and "lolanthe i within it to command a perennia l p larity Tho character of the Lor.i Chancellor is one of Gilbert's more important creations and so" 1 ® 0 songs assigned to that jurist hav - come classics in their way, sucu example as ''The Law is the true embodiment of everything that s excellent," and "When I went to the Bar as a very young man." "lolanthe also contains that very fine sentry song a the opening of the second act with irnvate Willis's quaint reflections on the penalties of politics. Another notable number is the song by Lord Mountararat, "When Britain really ruled the waves/' in which the striking lines appear "The Houso of Peers, throughout the war, did nothing in particular, and did it very well." The trio by the Lord Chancellor, Lords Mountararat and Tolloller, "Faint Heart Never Won Fair Lady," has one of the most tuneful airs in the whole range of the Savoy operas, and is always a favourite. Last night it received the honour of a triple encore. The opera _ was very well presented and Miss Patti Russell, as Phyllis, added to her very fine reputation as an accomplished artist. Her clear enunciation and her genuine and sincere methods of working contributed materially to the enjoyment of the audience. Mr Walenn was the "susceptible"- Lord Chancellor, and he did well in a really' god part and sang several important songs with distinction. Mr "Lance Fairfax as Strephon exercised his cultivated talents in acting and singing, and gave a really fine performance. Mr Bernard Manning as Lord Mountararat and Mr Leo Darnton as Lord Tolloller played vigorously and conscientiously and sang splendidly. Mr John Ralston as the burly sentry given to philosophical musings was well suited in his part and he sang the Sentry Song in the proper robust manner. Miss Effie Armstrong as lolanthe, Miss Beatrice Kendrick as the Fairy Queen, and Miss Diana Belmont and Miss Violet Jackson in other parts performed with credit. The choruses were given with spirit and the ensemble which closed the first act was a very fine effort. The finale in which the "Faint Heart" air was again employed brought the opera to a brilliant finish.

"THE GONDOLIERS" THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING

The next opera to be staged this evening, with a special matinee this afternoon, is one of the most favoured of the delightful series now being presented—"The Gondoliers," which contains all the elements for an enjoyable opera. There are many' beautiful solos, duets, and concerted pieces in this attractive conception, and many appear to think that in "The Gondoliers" Sullivan is heard at his very best. There is a wonderful charm about the music of this latest offering, and excerpts from the opera are perhapß more frequently heard than selections from any of the others. There is a peculiarly attractive lilt and attraction in the music of "The Gondoliers," and there are many musical delights in this charming work. The romantic story of the prince and the humble gondolier, and the well-conceived plot associated with this clever production of the gneat librettist Gilbert, holds the interest from rise to final fall of the curtain, and in this respect alone it stands ont as one of the most brilliant of the series. That there will be a large audience to witness the production is assured, for the booking for

"The Gondoliers" indicates its undoubted popularity with the music-loving patrons o£ the theatre. The cast is a particularly strong one, as will be admitted when it is seen that the principal characers are allotted as under:—Tlio Duchess, Winifred Williamson; Duke of Plaza-Toro, Chas. Walenn; Luig, Leo Darnton; Oasilda, Patti Russell; Gianetta, Strella Wilson; Tessa, Mabel Gibsoh; Marco, Jas. Hay; Guiseppe, Lance_ Pairfax; Inez, Effie Armstrong; Antonio, Gor-