"BALALAIKA"

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22506, 14 September 1938, Page 5

"BALALAIKA"

J. c. WILLIAMSON’S COMIC OPERA

COMING SEASON IN CHRISTCHURCH

“Balalaika," the picturesque and gorgeously mounted musical romance which will be staged here for the first time at the Theatre Royal, for a brief season beginning on Saturday, September 24, achieved a great success in Wellington last week. Since its opening night there, the “house full” cards have had to be hung out before 7.30 each evening. “Balalaika” is packed with every known amusement ingredient, including glorious music, picturesque stage settings, gorgeous frocks, brilliant military uniforms, an abundance of good wholesome humour, and an interesting love romance from the very beginning to the end of the opera. Lovers of Russia will also revel in the work of the specially selected bal■let that plays an important part in the development of the opera. It is the love of Count Peter Karagin, a Cossack officer, for a member of the ballet that provides the motif for Eric Maschwitz's serio-comic story. Trained by Thaddee Slavinsky, who was such ar outstanding performer with Colonel de Basil’s Monte Carlo Russian Ballet in New Zealand, the choreographic perfection of the ballet in “Balalaika” is one of the most delightful features of the production, which teems with excitement. The beauty of old Russia has been captured in superb fashion by Fredrick Blackman, who has come to New Zealand with the company, and the result is a series' of spectacles never equalled on the Australian or New Zealand stage. Dashing Cossack officers, beautiful dancing girls of the Russian Ballet, pompous officials, fascinating court ladies, members of the famous Marinsky Theatre company, and all the splendour of the old-time regime provide a feast of colour and movement that attracts playgoers. Such a great work has to have a* high standard company to interpret it, and it is said that J. C. Williamson’s latest Royal Comic Opera Company is, by far. the finest musical comedy organisation that has been enjoyed for many years. The cast includes Miss Violet Carlson, Mr George Hancock, Miss Diana Ducane, and Mr Don Nicol. Altogether there are 165 persons concerned in the production, which is the most expensive attraction ever sent to the Dominion. The last nights of the season will see the company in a brilliant revival of “The Desert Song.”