AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20488, 5 March 1932, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. GILBERT AND SULLIVAN SEASON. . /'THE GONDOLIERS" , TO-NIGHT. To-night at the Theatre Royal, commencing at 8 o'clock, J. C. Williamson's Gilbert and Sullivan Comic Opera Company will present a brilliant representation of the popular comic opera "The Gondoliers," in which they achieved one of their greatest triumphs during their recent successful Sydney and Melbourne, Auckland and Wellington. Seats in the dress circle and reserved Eta may be selected to-day at The Bristol tm II a m or at the Theatre Royal box office afterwards Tickets for the upper circle m"yTe purchased at Theatre Royal Sweet Shop from nine o'clock this mo ™ ln «- T £® Gondoliers." with its delicious melodies its charming mußical numbers, its b clever dialogue, its original humour, its picturesque settings, and its elaborate costumes and dresses is probably one of tho best results that happened during the collaboration of Sir Arthur Sullivan and Sir W. b. Gilbert. The remarkable successes won by the opera in Sydney was due to a large extent to the fact that the Williamson Ltd. management has boen fortunate in their selection of artißts, the organisation being compared more than favourably with any previous > company that has appeared in the Gilbert and Sullivan operas in Australia. Mr Ivan 'Menzies, who will make his first appearance here this evening, was acclaimed as the best comedian Sydney has enjoyed for many a day, and Gregory Stroud, a young English baritone and Miss Evelyn Gardiner, .a delightful contralto, from the Savoy Theatre, will also make their debut this evening. Miss Maria Bremner, Mr John Ralston, Mr Leo Dnrnton, and Mr Bernard Manning have previously delighted us .in a number of musical successes, and Miss Maisie Ramsay and Miss Mary Hotham are two charming young Australian singers who will tßke important roles in this evening's production of "The Gondoliers." A feature of the production is tho magnificent work of the chorus and ballet, and a full operatic orchestra is under the baton Of Mr Gustav Slapoffski. Mr John Farrell, who has accompanied the company right throughout the tour, will manage the season, and tho stage management is in the hands of Mr Dick Shortland, who has acted in that capacity for a great many Gilbert and Sullivan companies.