LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2372, 30 January 1915, Page 8

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

"CACCINC" IN "THE CONDO- - Sir, —I was glad to see that your critic drew attention to the unpardonable liberties some of the performers in "The Gondoliers" take with the libretto, one of the wittiest and most Ctical that the lato Sir W. S. Gilt ever wrote, and am very much surprised to find that the English producer, who doubtless watches the performance from the prompt entrance, should permit such illegitimacy. To imagino that any of the actors or the producer could improve on Gilbert is mere impudence. I will illustrate what I mean by quoting a few of the "gags" that _ woro introduced on Wednesday evening, much to tho disgust of those who know tho operas, The first one that assaulted tho ear camo from Tessa, who when tho Gondoliers inform tho Grand .Inquisitor that they are open, to conviction as to tho monarchical rule, said vulgarly, "Yes, they've often been convicted!" I was immensely gratified to soe that no one laughed. Anyone who knows the humour of Gilbert will recognise at once that tho interpolation is not tho least in his vein. It savours of cheap musical comedy or the lower vaudeville. Tessa was again grievously at fault when she slapped Marco on the face during the time she is singing that beautiful little couplet, commencing:

"You'll lay your head, Upon your bed At set of sun." The action, besides being common and un-Gilbertian, was out of keeping with the tenderness of -the parting scene. Shameless gaggim* not of a very clever order either was indulged in, too, when the two Gondoliers' aro introduced to the Duchess and Casilda in the second act. Again, when Marco, preliminary to singing "Sparkling Eyes," says, "There is only one receipt for perfect happiness," Guiseppe (Mr. Frank Wilson), who, being a Sayoyard, should know better, said as he went off, "Well, trot it out!" Just a cheap Cockneyism, which destroys at once that air of refined wit with which all Gilbert's works are invested. There was no "gag" introduced that did not jar, and certainly of those introduced none improved the opera or brought tho laughs that the.v were doubtless intended to induce.' I look to Mr. Weathersby to put down his'hand on such inane "gags," and give us undiluted, undefiled Gilbert forth© rest of the season. We are a people that respect tradition—let us keep our Gilbert tradition in its original frame, for there never was, and probably never will be, such a librettist.—l am, etc.. OLD SAVOYARD.