J. C. WILLIAMSON COMPANY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 February 1941, Page 2

J. C. WILLIAMSON COMPANY

"THE GONDOLIERS." ) There are no less than 30 travelling . members of J. C. Williamson's famous Gilbert and Sullivan Comic Opera i Company, which will make its only ; appearance here in "The Gondoliers” lat the Regent Theatre on Tuesday i night next. Playgoers will be delighticd to have again an opportunity of ' enjoying the outstanding artistry of the popular Gilbertian comedian. Ivan Menzies; the brilliant contralto, Miss Evelyn Gardiner, the talented London baritone. Mr Gregory Stroud: the clever character acting of Mr Richard Watson, and the young Australian tenor. Vincent McMurray. The principal soprano, Miss Viola Wilson, made her initial London success in grand opera at Covent Garden, and afterwards she was a prominent member of D’Pyly Carte's Savoy Company. The leading tenor. Mr John Fullard. also, hails from Covent Garden, and he is I a big favourite with English audiences. ! He created a furore of enthusiasm in ' Sydney and Auckland by his brilliant : singing of "Take a Pair of Sparkling) Eyes." Other new artists who have) materially assisted to make the latest ) J. C. Williamson production of "The. Gondoliers" the best ever given of it) in New Zealand arc Miss Sara Gre-) gory, a charming young soubrcite.' Maxwell Oldaker. a young Australian ) singer of note, Phyllis Curnow, who;

possesses a soprano voice of exceptional range and quality, and Peggy Shea, a dashing mezzo. Abounding in duets and part-songs and adorned with rich musical numbers. "The Gondoliers" is ever one of the first choices for Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera revival. An outstanding feature of the coming production is the work of the operatic chorus, composed of 50 specially picked voices. The orchestra of 20 first class instrumentalists is under the direction of Fir Leo Packer. The box plans will be opened at Messrs Steele and Bull’s shop on Friday morning next at nine o’clock.