AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 108, 3 June 1909, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS.

"THE JIKKUV WIDOW." Box-plans for the. performance announced for .Monday next of the Merry Willow by Mr. J. 0. Williamson's famous Royal Comic Opera Co., will bo open this morning at Tlie Colonial Piano Co.. when a very brisk (lcruand for seats is anticipated from the numerous inquiries' received from tie town and the surroundiml districts, which prove that iniite an unusual interest lias been aroused by the coming advent of this justly famous company and the production, of a play Unit has probably created a greater sensation than any other work of its kind throughout tin.' civilized world. The H C. 0. company organized over i't years ago by Mr. J. C Williamson has become an institution in Australia owing to the unvarying standard of excellcnc whidi lias been sustained through ill! the changes and vicissitudes of that long period, anil the visits paid to New Zealand by this powerful combination I arc all too few and far between, so that ' their highly appreciated seasons are events of some importance ill thciilric-il circles. On this occasion the season is of unusual importance in that it will serve to Introduce an opera of which we have .heard so much; for during lb.' past two years the press lias devoted unusual space in its dramatic columns to accounts of the astounding triumphs which liave enrolled the career ot the "Merry Widow" in practically all countries and languages. There is not one country in liuropc in which this opera has not been played in the native language and theic'is not on record one exception to .(lie phenoniinal success which has attended its endless productions. It is stated that something over (i(M) leading actresses have played the title vole since the initial production of the piece in Vienna, wlicre the composer (then a military- bandmaster) first submitted his work for public approval, probnlilv never dreaming tlint within the short space of two years his mime would be blown throughout the world and that he would be one of the most wealthy living composers.