“PINAFORE” AND “THE TRIAL”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 223, 9 December 1927, Page 15

“PINAFORE” AND “THE TRIAL”

GH3ERT AND SULLIVAN AT HIS MAJESTY’S Sho was only a sailor’s sweetheart but sho was also the captain’s daughter, as well as being the subject of the official affections of the Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Porter, K.C.B. That, in a paragraph, was the cause of all the trouble on board Her Majesty’s Ship Pinafore, which anchored off Portsmouth for the mirth and merriment of Aucklanders last evening. As the eminently ignorant Sir Joseph, who comes complete with his “sisters and liis cousins and his aunts” to make his suit for Josephine’s hand, Charles E. Walenn was really funny. Strella Wilson was the captain’s proud daughter and in sorrow or joy she was most musical —while James Hay loved her and threatened suicide tunefully as Rackstraw, the patrician A.B. With a Beresford air about him John Ralston made a realistic captain. Little Buttercup, the bumboat woman, was a pleasant part in the hands of Winifred Williamson. The rollicking bo’sun’s mate, Bill Bobstay (Lance Fairfax) was a hearty piece of work and his “Englishm—h—an” song had to be sung three times. Allowing some scope for slap-stick comedy, “Trial by Jury” yet carries some tuneful numbers. The humour is bluntish and the situation, that of a breach of promise action, has not been handled by Gilbert with striking originality nor with his deft touch.. Patti Russell wept and sang sweetly until sho found consolation behind His Honour’s “Pink ’Un.” The judge was well done, and the six bridesmaids were charming. “PRINCESS IDA” TO-NIGHT

“Princess Ida,” one of the most spectacular and beautiful of the Gilbert and Sullivan series, will be staged tonight. It was with the peculiar delight that frequently stirs within a man when he (on very rare occasions, it must be admitted) can score a point against the weaker sex—without fear of being answered back—that Gilbert wrote “Princess Ida.” Sullivan did the rest.

The best of Sullivan music, witty libretto, idyllic stage pictures and the melodic charm of many of the numbers (particularly those that fall to Miss Strella Wilson) make “Princess Ida” worth seeing. As queen of the feminine colony Miss Wilson is at her best. In “Invocation to Minerva” and

"Life is But a Broken Toy,” her beautiful soprano voice is heard to full advantage. There are many lively and flirtatious girls and damsels among the dwellers in this Adamless Eden. As Uilarion, the lover of the princess, Mr. James Hay has an ideal part, and he sings the beautiful music with expression. Mr. John Ralston is cast as King Hildebrand, and Mr. Charles Walenn is another fun-maker as King Gama.

“Pirates of Penzance” will be staged to-morrow, and there will be special matinee performance of this favourite opera. The evening performance will mark the termination of one of the most enjoyable and successful Gilbert and Sullivan seasons ever recorded in Auckland.