"THE GONDOLIERS"

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 February 1941, Page 6

"THE GONDOLIERS"

PRESENTATION LAST EVENING t i ROLLICKING HUMOUR AND WIT. ; REGENT THEATRE CROWDED. — Gilbert and Sullivan operas, Judging tby the reception given to “The Gon- ' doliers." at lhe Regent Theatre Inst j night, retain in full measure their I popular appeal of fifty years ago. Ever\ seal in lhe theatre was occupied when the J C. Williamson Company, I forty strong, gave a splendid pori travjd of this Venetian story, sq brim- ! fid of real, live comedy, developed ; around a variety of intricate situations [ and comical solutions. It was a deI light to listen to the spontaneous and I rollicking humour of the opera, free i as it is from any taint of vulgarity nr lhe commonplace. Gilbert and Sullij van have left a rich heritage of comedy j .md delightful melody and "The Gon{doliers." like other Savoy operas, has a number of paradoxes, quips and dilemma'. set to an apt metre that inevitably sets the tret tapping. A- lhe opera was presented last evening. the rich music, mellow humour, romantic atmosphere, elective scenery and colourful costumes combined fully to preserve the Gilbert and Sullivan tradnion Running through lhe opera ;in.’ several dances — lhe fandango, bolero and cuchucha—-and a gavotte in which the air "I am a Courtier Grave . and Serious" is sung most eil'eetively. : The story revolves around the unravel- ' Img of a romantic tangle. Two gondo- ‘ hers are told on their wedding day that ’ one of them is to become King of Ba- : rakria. since the Royal babe had been < confused years ago. as the yson of a ' highly respectable gondolier, whose ; last’? far drink, combined with, gout, had doubled him up for ever." The : urn gondoliers both go to Baratavia and reign together, but Lmz. who has i pa w d himself off at the attendant of : the Duke of Plaza Toro, turns out to ' be tt-.e king, which simplillos an awk- : ward situation. Mr Ivan Menzies, who took lhe part of tile Duke with comic stateliness., was •warmly welcomed on his_ reappearance m Muster Um. The Duchess of Plaza Toro. Miss Gardiner, in her imperious manner, was a good foil for the Duke. The parts of the two gondoliers were taken by Mr Gregory Strang and Mr Mm .'ay, understudy for Mr John Fullard, wtu.j was unable to appear owing to a cold Mr Murray delighted the hottM with lus singing <>f the overpopular Like a Pair of Sparkling Ey<- Mr Richard Watson excelled .is the Grand Inquisitor. Other newcomers were Mi-, Viola Wtlson. as C.reld.;. Mr Maxwell Oldalkr as Luiz. Ml: Sara Gregon a.-, Tc.s<a and Miss l’h?:!i.-. Currow. at Gianetla The clmrus s.mg with .spirit and good v.ihmie and the nrrh< tr.i conlnbutcd acim.i-ablj m the •aicet - of '.he pre■em n as a whole