A WELCOME REVIVAL

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 30, 5 February 1932, Page 3

A WELCOME REVIVAL

THE PIRATES OF PEN-

ZANCE'

The Gilbert and Sullivan season- continues its pleasant course at the Opera House. The opera chosen for last night was "The Pirates of Penzance." The essentials to a popular success were to hand in the form of an accomplished and enthusiastic company and a large, sympathetic, and receptive audience. At this stage of the season it should not be necessary to do more than repeat that the staging and dressing of the opera were in excellent taste, and conformed to the high level of the Firm in this particular. Gilbert and Sullivan purists have long memories of past performances of their revered operas, and some are prone to compare revivals of to-day, not always with pleasure to themselves. Any such critics present at "The Pirates" last night would agree, no doubt,.that the performance was a great popular success. No chance was let slip to bring out all the farcical and melodramatic features in the opera, but it was open to doubt whether some of the finer and subtler points of Gilbertian humour were understood, at any rate they were not over-emphasised. But the performance as a whole aud as an entertainment was certainly highly popular. No one playing in "The Pirates" has a chance to run off with the piece, but Miss Maisie Ramsay, as Mabel, stood out in bold relief in "'Poor Wandering Ova," and captivated the audience with her brilliant coloratura singing, for it was the real thing, whatever notions of parodying the prima donna of grand opera Sullivan may have had in mind. Miss Ramsay was thrice recalled, and deserved that honour Her singing in the lovely duet with Frederic in the second act was an example of perfect artistry. Miss Evelyn Gardiner was admirable as Ruth, the female pirate showing no inclination to overdo the part' The lesser parts of Kat«, Edith, and Isabel were conscientiously and adequately taken by Misses Dawn Harding, Mary Kotham, and Rona "Wimpney. Mr. Ivan Jlenzies made the utmost but not overmuch _of the part of the 'Major-General His singing of "I am the Very Pattern" was clever and effective. Mr. Bernard Manning was cast for the congenial part of the "Pirate King." He appeared to be aufferinc; from a slight hoarseness, but he sang "Oh, Better Far'to Live and i '"*; j fine r effect, and was vigorously applauded. Mr. Leo Darnton was eminently successful as Frederic, especially in the duet with Mabel, as above mentioned. 7a S? s PaHicsjlarly happy in the aria Is There Not One Maiden?" Mr. John Kalston had a part that quite suited him m the Police Sergeant, and when he came to -A Policeman's Lot" he imparted to it some^ quite superfluous embellishments Michvrere more popular than orthodox, but they were received with shrieks of laughter.

Again the chorus did splendidly. The Invocation to Poetry was up to grand opera requirements. The Policemen's Uiot-us was excellent, in fact the choral singing of the company in this, as in preceding operas, was consistently sound and in the best taste. Again the orchestra distinguished itself, especially in its artistic accompaniments. "The Pirates" was preceded by "Trial By Jury,' in which Mr. Menzies was the Judge, aud Miss Marie Bremner the plaintiff. It was a rather rowdy knock-about sort of performance, sacrificing much of. the sparkling dialogue, but it greatly pleased.

The Pirates of Penzance" will be repeated this evening, and a matinee performance will be given to-morrow.

. Isext Monday night and two following evenings, and on .Wednesday afteruoon. J. c. Williamson's Gilbert and SuMvaii company will p ™sent a rCTiTaI of the charging comic 'opera "The Yeomen of the Guard,'' the music of which reaches the fringe of grand opera. It was as Jack Point, the Jester, that Mr. Ivan Menzies achieved his best triumph in England, and he was acknowledged by critics aa the finest exponent of this character yet enjoyed in Australia and Auckland. On' Thursday next and two following evenings, and on Saturday afternoon, "H.M.S. Pinafore," preceded by "Cox and Box," will be staged, and on Monday and Tuesday "Patience" will be produced. On Wednesday, 17th February the season will he brought to a close with a final representation of "The Gondoliers."