“BALALAIKA”

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22507, 15 September 1938, Page 3

“BALALAIKA”

COMING MUSICAL ROMANCE A BRILLIANT PRODUCTION An id£a of the magnitude of J. C. Williamson’s stupendous musical. romance, “Balalaika,” which is to be sented for the first time in Christchurch at the Theatre Royal on Saturday afternoon and evening, September 24, may be gathered by the fact that the ■.ship’s measurement on the scenery totals over .300 tons, and it takes no less than four of the largest railway trucks to convey the effects from one. town to another. Forty of Williamson’s mechanists, electricians, and technicians came over from Sydney with the company, and altogether the number on last week’s pay roll in Wellington was exactly 165. Eric Masdhwitz, of the British Broadcasting Corporation, wrote the libretto of “Balalaika,” and George Posford and Bernard Grun the music. The collaboration of these three clever young men has resulted in a comic opera that at times rises to dramatic heights, and descends to the absurd with equal facility. Enormous crowds have flocked to witness the glorious spectacles of “Balalaika,” drawn by the drama of its plot and the dexterity of its production. In Wellington it has been no uncommon occurrence for parties to book again and again. The element of surprise is never absent from the story, which concerns the romance of Lydia Marakova, prima ballerina of the Russian ballet of St. Petersburg, and the dashing officer, whose high-born rank allows him the full panoply of uniform and glamour. Brilliant settings, gay twists, dramatic climaxes, catchy songs, and beautiful Russian dances make “Balalaika” a spectacle of rare beauty. Humour is skilfully blended, and there is a captivating ballet of classical dancers, who perform gracefully during the development of the play. The principals are Miss Violet -Carlson, Mr George Hancock, Miss Diana Ducane, and Mr Don Nicol, and others

in the cast are Gaston Mervale, Cliff. Cowley, Hori Thomas, Syd. Wheeler, Dorothy Dunckley, Gwen Brown, Charles Zoli, Gwen Bullock, and Yvonne Banvard, who was the leading comedienne in the original here of "Rose Marie.” The box plans will be opened at the D.I.C. next Wednesday morning.