COLOURFUL OPERA

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22508, 16 September 1938, Page 7

COLOURFUL OPERA

PRESENTATION OF “BALALAIKA”

CHRISTCHURCH SEASON OPENS

NEXT WEEK

The great interest that is being taken by playgoers in the production at the Theatre Royal on Saturday afternoon and evening next week of J. C, Williamson’s big colourful musical play. “Balalaika,” has been indicated at the box office, where already a very large number of applications for seats for the opening and subsequent presentations have 1 been received from various parts of the country. , • ■ „ Not 1 since “The White Horse Inn” was staged here have playgoers had an opportunity to witness a spectacular Comic .opera, and the fact that “Balalaika” is said to eclipse even the picturesque nature of that delightful musical play has naturally invested additional interest in Williamson’s latest production. It is _ said that for glorious melodies, for brilliant musical numbers, for sumptuous settings, for beautiful ballets, for gorgeous dresses and uniforms, and for genuinely humorous and refreshing comedy, nothing approaching “Balalaika” has been witnessed in New Zealand for many years. A very large cast is necessary for “Balalaika.” and those appearing in the leading roles were specially selected .for them. Miss Violet Carson is 'a borh comedienne, and she creates much laughter the whole time she is on the stage. Mr George Hancock has a singing role that ' actors dream of. and his rich baritone voice is well suited to the numbers, "At the Balalaika” and “Come This Holy Night of CZhjristmsts. " “Miss Diana Ducanc ,** Wrote a .critic in Wellington, “makes a charming Lydia, of a maidenly and unsophisticated order, and she acts and sings delightfully.” Don Nicol is always bright and cheerful in any part, and he is as brisk and vivacious as ever in the whimsical role of Nicki.,