MONCRIEFF SEASON

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 131, 19 June 1937, Page 11

MONCRIEFF SEASON

"Merry Widow" and "Maid of the Mountains" The box plans will be opened at Fail's on Monday morning at nine o'clock for the production? of "The Merry Widow" and "The Maid of the Mountains, " in . which Miss Gladys Monerieff and J. C. Williamson Ltd. 's Comic Opera Company will make their appearance here on Wednesday and Thursday nights next. Anticipating a large demand for seats the management will have a staff of ushers in attendance from an early hour to form a queue so that the earliest arrivals may have first choice of seats. The following was written by a Melbourne critic of the recent revival of "The Merry Widow." "Light opera seemed. to have come back into its own. A c&pacity house assembled in a mood of exuberance which was good to experience at a gay revival of Franz Lehar's 'The Merry Widow.' It was truly a gala night. In a reaction difficult to analyse, the audience demonstrated its enthusiasm for Gladys Monerieff, for Cecil Kellaway, Eric Bush, Don Nicol and of the play with joyous significance. Memories of Carrie Moore and Florence Young as Sonia may have warmed the hearts of old playgoers present, but here was Miss Monerieff in the role, an Australian soprano recognised as never before for her personality and artistry, rousing as to prolonged applause nnfamiliar in this new theatre. "The scene, in fact, representcd the most notable theatrical night since the closing of the Theatre Royal in 193,3. There was nothing spurious or ppmped up in this enthusiasm. It was fully justified by the ' performance. The cool est person in tho theatre was Gladys Monerieff, who sang magnificently. Her rendering of "Villia" was flawless. She came back and sang the song twice in encore, each time with perfect intonation and musical phrasing. It was as Melba sang 'Home Sweet Home' and 'to perdition with the cynics.' 'The Merry Widow' is certainly one of the most popular comic operas the English or Continental stage has produced and it will always attract large audiences no matter how frequently it is staged." These remarks also apply to "The Maid of the Mountains." This was proved in Australia, where both operas wero received with much enthusiasm and their seasons in each of the big cities had to be considerably extended. The revivals were both acclaimed the best ever seen in Sydney and Melbourne. The company is strong in comedians, and it would be a difneult matter to find two better or more humorous artists than Cecil Kellaway or Don Nicol, and they are ably assisted by Gerald Connoly, Peter Dawson and Miss Isabel Cue. Tho singing members of the company include Mr Arthur Clarke (tenor) and Miss Carmen Mascagny, and other principals are Leslie Crane, Cecil Pawiey, Leslie Donaghey, Ian Devereaut and Geoff Colledge. The fuU opera tio chorus and orchestra are under the direction of Mr Fred Quintrell.*