Theatre Royal

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 111, 14 May 1904, Page 2

Theatre Royal

HERB FRIEDENTHAL. It is announced that New Flymouth liu.h been included in the return Nuw riymouth tour of Hoit Albert Friedonthal, the noted pianist. This is mainly due to the fact that Kerr Friedentlml will be pass*ig through next week on his way to join the American mail boat at Auckland. Since his last visit to Australia ami New Zealand, where lie met with splendid receptions, Herr Priedenthal has travelled extensively. His appearances ill European cities were u succession of triumphs, the London concerts in particular being brilliant and well attended. Herr Friedenthai, who is justly regarded as a performer of distinction, will give a recital at the Theatre Royal on next Friday evening-. Recent concerts in the large centres have been highly successful, and as Fi'iedenthal occupies, perhaps, a higher position as a musician than anyone who lias previously visited New Zealand, his only appearance here is sure to attract a large audience.

MR J. C. WILLIAMSON'S ROYAL COMIC OPERA COMPANY.

will be delighted to learn that Mr J. C. Williamson kas decided to send his world-renowned Royal Comic Opera Co to New Plymouth, the dates selected being Thursday and Friday, May 20 and 27. The operas to be produced are "A Country Girl" and " My Lady Molly " respectively. These pieces are amongst the latest successful musical plays, and ltave had enormously successful runs wherever produced. As for the company, it I has, us an institution, been in existence for nearly twenty years, and has always been recognised as the standard operatic, organisation of Australasia. So popular are, indeed, the Royal Comics that their time is mostly taken up by continuous performances in Melbourne and Sydney, and it is only on rare occasions such as at prosent that Mr Williamson linds the opportunity of sending them on tour. When it is stated that the company in its entirety numbers ninetysix, the enormous expense incurred in fares alone may be easily imagined, and it is a tribute to the way in which the New Plymouth people havo always supported Mr Williamson's other attractions that he has decided on sending here the largest and most expensive company under his control. That his enterprise will be rewarded by packed houses goes without saying, and I probably the only difficulty the management will have will be to find room for all those desirous of witnessing the performances. So far, in the southern cities— Dunedin, Christchurch, and Wellington—the tour has proved an absolute record financially, the capacious theatres being packed throughout the seasons at enhanced prices of admission. Mr Harold Ashton, Mr Williamson's principal touring manager, who has been in town making the necessary preliminary arrangements, states that both " A Country Girl " and "My Lady Molly " will be presented here on precisely the same scale of completeness as in the original productions, the entire company—principals, chorus, ballot, and the full orchestra of sixteen picked instrumentalists, appearing each night, whilst the scenery, wardrobe, and all accessories will also be brought along. From nil points of view, and moreparticularly from a musical standpoint, these two performances will stand out as probably the most important and attractive that have ever been given here. In view of the certainty of an unprecedented demand for seats should particularly note that the box plans for both operas will be open at the Colonial Piano Depot on Wednesday morning next at 0.80. '