AMUSEMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 109, 7 June 1909, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS

'' THE MERRY WIDOW." TO-NIGHT. At the Theatre lioyal this evening 11". ( J. C. Williamson's ever popular Hoyil Comic Opera Company will make a wel- , come reappearance. Jt will in a sense he ' a doubly welcome reappearance, for not j only is the first piece to be presented, , namely, Frank Lehar's celebrated light , opera "The .Merry Widow,' a musical play which lias been beard of and talked about for the past two years as one of the finest musical productions the comic opera stage has seen for a decade; but old favorites who have been absent for some time will again be with us, such, for instance, as Miss Florence i'oung, perhaps one of the most popular artists Australasia has known, an artist to the finger-tips, with a voice that woulu grace grand opera, which is reported by Wellington and Auckland critics to b • fresher and better than ever. Mr. Reginald Roberts, the tenor, is another artist who is certain of a cordial reception. Very great interest also attaches to the appearance of the new English baritone Mr. Andrew Higgillson; reports from Wellington and Auckland are most favorable regarding this young per former, who, as Prince Danilo, has a part demanding not only vocal but ex eeptional acting ability, and who is said to fulfil all the exacting requirements of | the part in a surprisingly admirable \ way. Mr. Victor Gouriet, too, the principal comedian, upon whom the mantle I of Mr. George Lauri has fallen, has fully sustained the high reputation he won when leading comedian ol the Musical Cometh- Companv Company us a humorist «f 'the first rank, lie has able coadjutors in Messrs. W. S. Percy (an old favorite), C. R. Jiiv.itock, and Arthur Hunter. -Miss Fanny Dungo, a brillia.it dancer and dainty actress who has for some two years' been a strong Alls tralian favorite, will niakv her first appearance here; while such artists as Miss Nellie Wilson, Miss Marietta Nash, Miss Connie Milne, and Miss Alma Vaughall stand out amongst a mat of exceptional strength.