AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 109, 4 June 1909, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS.

! 'TTIK MERRY WIDOW." I Box plans for next Monthly »' perf'orml ance of "Tin 1 Merry WUlow by Mr. L. Williamson's! Roval Comic Opera loinpanv wore opened yesterday morning at thu* Colonial Piano Company*, when a record crowd of people atteuded, eager to obtain the best chance of seats, demonstrating" the deep interest created by the announcement of t'he .production in New Plymouth of this world-famous comic opera, and during the whole day very brisk booking was going on. The management emphasises the fact\ that the company presenting - this' work in New Zealand is even stronger than that which was responsible for its representation i» Australia, where it established such remarkable records nil along tlvc line, even surpassing by far the palmy days of ''Floradoru," "Tlie Geisha," and other memorable But it is said to be infinitely superior to these from u musical standpoint. The quality of the music is said to rise easily above that which the public has been accustomed to hear for the past few years ; n musical comedy, and the plot is considerably more than the usual cobwebby thread; in fact, it is coherent, well sustained. interesting, and at times dramatically intensethe libretto is crisp and clever, lave fun and gaiety are in constant evidence, and there is a nice light and shade both in music, dialogue) and action. There is also a wealth of color, all those combined qualities making for a seductive charm which cannot be resisted. There is' said to be a welcome Absence of cheap ragtime, musichally tunes; but these can readily be dispensed with to make room for the •truly delightful musical numbers with ■which "The Merry Widow" is freely studded, for in truth the public has rather wearied of them of late. The play is said to be staged in a manner equal to the very foest traditions' of Mr. Williamson's most sumptuous methods, and all these captivating attributes seem easily to account for the enormous success which has marked ''The Merry Widow's" career under his management, by which Australasia has endorsed the verdict of the whole civilised world.