MR J. C. WILLIAMSON’S OPERA SEASON.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1444, 3 May 1905, Page 2

MR J. C. WILLIAMSON’S OPERA SEASON.

’ 8 The box plan for “ Tho Mikado,” which is to be the first production of Mr J. C. Williamson’s Gilbert and Sullivan’s Comic Opera season, “ Tho Yeoman of the Guard,” the second production, and “ Patience,” the third presentation of the season, will be opened on tho stage of His Majesty's Theatre this morning at 9 o’clock. Special arrangements [have been made in order to regulate tho booking and prevent unnecessary crowding and con- I B fusion. Precedence of booking will be .baWotted for prior to the opening of the 1 plan, and in order to prevent speculation in seats, intending patrons will be restrictod to ten Beats for each opera. In ] ( view of the intense interest whioh tho oo- I ; casion is creating, there is likely to be a I ( big rush for reserved seats. As already I announced, the Gisborno season is limited I to three nights, commencing at His Majesty’s Theatre on Monday evening | next, and a very strong combination is I promised. It is claimed for the Gilbert and Sullivan Repertoire Company that it is one of the most elaborate and important I that has yot been on tour in New Zealand. The organisation is under the charge of Mr I Henry Bracy, who, as in Australia, will I stage mauago the productions, whilst the I complete oporatio chorus of 70 voices, and I full operatic (orchestra of 16 instru- I montalists, will be under the direction of I Mons. Loon Caron. The names appear- I j ing in the casts are all familiar and known I j among the ranks of the most popular i j operatic artists in Australasia. The operas I , will be presented on tho most lavish scale, I 'the management having adopted as its I motto the principle that to make money I one mußt spond it. Australian and New j Zealand contemporaries speak in terms of I - the highest praise of the artists and antici- I i pate a great future for tho talented young j soprano. Miss Dolly Castles, who is said to I r| have a daintiness of manner suggesting a I resemblance of the pretty moods of the 1 g most famous of Australian comic opera j g artistes, Miss Nellia Stewart. The three I operas will be presented in their entirety, I with the full oast of principals, the cele- j brated chorus —pronounced to be the finest I j ever heard in Australia —and the scenery j and all accessories exactly the same as I when presented in Wellington and Auck- I land.