“THE VAGABOND KING”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 582, 7 February 1929, Page 17

“THE VAGABOND KING”

BOX PLANS OPEN TO-MORROW

To-morrow morning at nine o’clock the box plans will be opened at Lewis Eady’s for the approaching brief season of the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., big and beautiful musical play, “The Vagabond King,” which is to be staged for the first time in New Zealand at His Majesty’s Theatre *>n Tuesday night next. In order that the earliest arrivals at the box office to-morrow morning may be assured of the first choice of seats the management will have a staff of ushers in attendance from seven o’clock. The cast includes Strella Wilson, of the golden voice, who has played every soprano role in the Gilbert and Sullivan operas, a repertoire to be proud of. She has played in four musical comedies, but it is said that no role has suited her so well as that of Katherine in “The Vagabond King.” James Liddy plays the principal role of Francois Villon, vagabond poet of France, who, it is said, colours all he says with a gay, devil-may-care sense of humour. Mr. Liddy’s work in “The Student Prince” has already set him among the favourites, but he, too. is seen and heard at his best in “The Vagabond King.” Mabel Gibson, who appears as Hugu* ette, the mistress of Villon, is also well-known for her Gilbert and Sullivan roles Then there are Arthur Stigant, Cecil Kellaway, Arthur Greenaway, Adele Crane, Arthur Hayes, Russell Scott, all of whom have assisted in making “The Vagabond King” the best and most successful musical play Sydney has ever known. The approaching season must necessarily be a brief one, as preparations are already in progress for its initial production in Melbourne at Easter time.