A "BOMBSHELL."

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 98, 29 August 1913, Page 6

A "BOMBSHELL."

IN THE "PIRATES OP PENZANCE" CAMP. Recently the committee of the Stratford Operatic Society decided to produce Gilbert and Sullivan's opera, "The Pirates of Penzance," which has been in rehearsal for some time, on September 10th'and 11th. The dates having been fixed, application was made to J. 0. Williamsons' agent ia Wellington, Mr Bert Royle, for remission to produce the opera. In applying for permission, it is necessary to state the actual dates of production, and therefore no application was made until the dates were fixed. If permission had been sought prior to commencing practicing the Society would probably have been saved the uhock which it has.now received. On Tuesday morning the secretary of the Society, Mr F. H. Wilkie, despatched the following telegram to Mr Royle: "Pirates of Penzance ready to produce. Wire permission. State royalty. Cheque will follow." Tn reply to this,'Mr Royle wired: "My instructions prohibit all Sullivan operas. Writing to Sydney on-your behalf." Mr Wilkie then wired down the necessary money with tho following message: "To hasten matters would you use cablo both ways to obtain permission." Mr Royle did as requested, and to-day Mr Wilkie received the following telegram from him: "Sydney cables: 'Cannot allow any -Gilbert Sul-lH-an productions on any consideration.' Sorry." This seems to indicate that the production ia doomed; but the matter will bo fully discussed at a meeting of the committee of the Society next Monday evening.