WILLIAMSON’S OPERA CO.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 February 1941, Page 2

WILLIAMSON’S OPERA CO.

"THE GONDOLIERS." i There was a large demand for seats j when the box plans were opened this i morning for the production of Gilbert

i and Sullivan’s very melodious, very ' spectacular and very humorous comic I opera. "The Gondoliers,” which is to be staged for one occasion only at the 1 Regent Theatre on Tuesday night next. "The Gondoliers" is not merely everi green; it is well assured of immortalI ity as any work of art can be in a

| changing world. At a time when AnteI rica and the Continent have almost ta- ■ ken charge of the operatic stage and i native English humour is said to be i languishing in the theatre, Gilbert and i Sullivan is more appreciated and en- , joyed than ever. "The Gondoliers" • was the last successful product of the ’ famous partnership of Gilbert and I Sullivan, and it is unquestionably one I of the most melodiously rich of all the ■ operas. No better or more humorous < comedian than Mr Ivan Menzies has ! ever appeared in the Gilbert and Sul-

• livan operas in New Zealand and lo- | cal playgoers are fortunate in getting ' a further opportunity to enjoy his outstanding artistry in "The Gondoliers." Miss Evelyn Gardiner will take the part of the Duchess of .Plaza Toro. She i is the principal contralto for the Lon- j ! don Savoy Theatre company and she was chosen by Mr D'Oyly Carte to por- ■ tray the contralto parts in the New! York representations of the Gilbert I and Sullivan operas. Richard Watson, i character-comedian. Mr Gregory; Stroud, baritone. Bernard Manning i and Vincent McMurray have appeared ( here on previous occasions. Great in- j tcrest centres- in the first appearance; here of Miss Viola Wilson, a fam-. ous London soprano. Mr John FullardJ tenor from Covent Garden theatre.' Sara Gregory, soubrette, Phyllis Curnow. soprano. Peggy Shea, mezzo, and Maxwell Oldaker. tenor. The work of the chorus and orchestra is a great feature of the production of "The Gondoliers."