"THE GIRL FRIEND."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20092, 1 November 1928, Page 16

"THE GIRL FRIEND."

MUSICAL COMEDY SUCCESS

ANNIE CROFT'S TRIUMPH

SEVERAL FINE COMEDIANS

In " The ('.ill Friend " the Williamson firm 1 if)s mustered as strong a coterie of musical comedy artists as one could wish to sec. They are, without exception, excellent. The jilol, is a passable sample ol its kind. llie music and lyrics are desirably tuneful arid cloying, the dancing is merry and fast, the frocking and scenery really beautiful, but, above all, there are the actors—a leading lady fit to he worshipped, a bevy of pretty damsels to ornament her court, and «i battery of come.dian.s. not one of whom falls below standard.

Musically, the reputation of "'I ho Girl Friend " has preceded its New Zealand premiere. Some of the lyrics, LllC mile Loom," "What's the Use of. Crying," " Mountain Greenery " and " The Girl Friend," greeted an audience inclined to be reciprocal at Ills Majesty's Theatre last, evening, their melody and rhythm clinging persistently to the ear long after the last curtain went down. Not so many people were familiar with the " book," a somewhat, patent concoction about a gnl who falls in love with a young gallant on a train journey through the Canadian Hookies, loses her parents, and is allotted the blue bridal suile at a mountain hotel. What must happen, of course, but an invasion of the sanctum by a gay Lothario, who has been worshipping Bacchus so earnestly that lie, has no inclination to appreciate his surroundings until the following morning, when the outraged gallant jumps unjustly to conclusions, and registers profound mortification. Happy to say, explanations put, the whole matter right. Talented Leading Lady. Miss Annie Croft's histrionic asset is a quiet reserve of manner, most becoming her blonde, form of beauty. Tall, slim and graceful, with a charmingly winsome smile, she reveals in a hundred ways the finished touches of the artist. Vestiges of pathos clung (o her performance, as befitted the feminine frailty of the character, and there were times when she could move, the audience to deep feeling. Her voice, of an attractive quality, lent a peculiar tenderness to her singing of " 1 Travel the Road " and " I'm in Love," two lyrics that 1 won her instant popularity. In Messrs. Gus Bluett and Leo Franklin the company possesses two comedians of sterling quality. Mr. Bluett has made astonishing advances since he was in New Zealand last and now stands at the, top of his profession. His work last night was hilarious, a very necessary antidote lo (he prevailing political fever. Such comic posturing, such grimacing, such a fatuous grin! In depicting the comic aspects of intoxication this clever actor has no peer. Ihe liou.se locked with laughter at his grotesque antics in bibulous frame of mind, at the rare piece of silent business in which he protested his innocence to an imaginary stranger and at the delicious interlude in which, with two others, lie imitated the slow-motion absurdities of the motion picture camera. Mr. Franklin, too, possesses a keen sense of humour and a refined Cockney twang that is sheer entertainment to listen to. He also is a master of the comic posture and an artist to the finger-tips. Old Favourite's Return. Quite an ovation greeted the appearance of Miss May Beatly, an old Williamson favourite, who gave a typically amusing performance. No duchess could have managed more regally her monocle, cane and aigrette. Mr. Reginald Sharland, the juvenile lead, impressed very favourably by his clean-cut. cultured manner and his winning smile. Miss Billie Lockwood. who has found her type exactly, was excellently cast as llie hotel office attendant and introduced her orig - nal work with great gusto. Miss Ivy Parker fulfilled her duties capably as Mrs. Burke and Mr. Leslie Donaghey contributed a very laughable study as her frolicsome husband. "The Girl Friend" will be repeated each evening for a week, when the company will appear in "Hit the. Deck."