AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8105, 9 May 1906, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

ME J. C. WILLIAMSON'S COMIC OPF.RA COMPANY.

There was a large demand for seats at the Colonial Piano Company's warehouse yesterday morning, tflien the plans for the two night's season of Mr C. Williamson's Opera Company were opened. The company appear here on Friday and Saturday, presenting on Friday " Utopia, Ltd.," or "The Flowers of Progress," and on Saturday the ever popular and favorite romantie opera, "The Gondoliers." There two works are froiu the pens of those worldfamed collaborators, Messrs Gilbert a#d Sullivan. The ever-welcome "Gondoliers," Jiall-marked iu practically every part of the world, is one of the gems of the company's repertoire. The story is prettily told : the music, built to fit round it, and with hunnrous and clever sayings interwoven, gives the opera the prestige it has always sustained. "The Gondoliers," from rise to fall of th.e curtain, contains as many gems as could possibly be presented in one opera. Musically it has ycry fevy cijuals and no superior. "Utopia, Ltd.," is the last product of the joist authors. It will be. presented for the first time. Highly flattering and eulogistic press rcporls to are unaninir ous in their appreciation of the clever music and satiric il libretto. The " Age " says : •• The same delightful mix-up of happy thoughts, happily expressed alike in song and story." The "Argus": "The libretto may be counted the most whimsical, satirical, jt.nd direct- purpose that Mr Gilbert lias pewed. It is rich in the essence of wit—of surprise.'' The two pi'cd'Ctions will be stige.j- w ith 'Mr Williamson's usual completoßc^s.of every detail, and the famous Opera Company's chorus of oyer fifty artists, supported bj a large and ellicieut orchestra, make gyeff (essential to the success of the playsf. .<Mgi/iS fr° m l hc absorbing interest Jjeiug i#eii jg the forthcoming srason, a highly sU'-ect.-ifyl time should be experienced. Special mention should be made flf the Uadiiiin JJallct, an additional attraction with the Opera Company dju> liif! tlieir season here, Tbfc' ballet is wholly grotesque, and ingeniously contrived. binee first produced by the company, it is nightly recalled several times, and is Droving im enjoyable and welcome item with all playgoers,