"WHIRLED INTO HAPPINESS"

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 80, 6 April 1926, Page 8

"WHIRLED INTO HAPPINESS"

ENJOYABLE MUSICAL COMEDY, i

From its very title—"Whirled Intd Happiness"—one would naturally expect Messrs. J. C. Williamson's musical comedy to be something outstanding in the way of exuberantly joyous action and so it proved last night, whan Hi* Majesty's Theatre was full in all parts on the occasion of its first presentation in Auckland. The pot of fun is kept bubbling over throughout three Ion<» acts, and the audience, while never on tip-toe to see what is going to happen next—for the plot is transparently flimsy—is at least thoroughly Additional interest was given to the production by reason of the fact that Miss Kora McManus, an Axickland girl, was cast in the prominent role of Florence, daughter of Albert Horridge, "of Hoiridge's half-crown 'ats." Her initial entrance was the occasion of much handclapping, and as the comedy proceeded apace the admirers of Miss McManua" were the reverse of disappointed, the bright young Aucklander's refreshingly wholesome stage presence winning the hearts of all. Miss McManus played her part with a nice restraint, and her sweet personality was most marked in the pretty love scenes with the popular Leyland Hodgson. It is Miss McManus and Mr. Hodgson who are "Whirled Into Happiness," for despite the fact that the last-named is but a barber he succeeds in winning the hand of the millionaire's daughter, after a night of hectic excitement, in which he has greatness thrust upon him, masquerading as a marquis. Mr. Athol Tier, the lanky comedian, who scored such success last week in "Leave it to Jane," assists the bogus lord, acting as his manservant, and finally imbibes far too much of old Horridge's port wine, which makea for fast and furious fun. The inimitable Jack Cannot, who plays the gay old dog of a hatter, combines with Athoi Tier in keeping the house in Toars of laughter, a scene in which the pair discuss the "marquis" in the garden being uproariously comical. Athol Tier gives his brother humorist frequent spray showers with a soda syphon. This ia old stuff, but it was done cleverly, and, as in the scene in which, he talks drunkenly to the Duke of Dulchester on the telephone, Athol Tier's own particular brand of antics simply forced laughs out of everyone. Spice is added to aa already spicy plot by the inclusion of a, music hall star in the complications which follow on the barber's indiscre* tions, and, in the part of the temperamental Delphine de la Valliere, Frencß to her finger-tips, Miss Mona Barlee waa most happily cast. Miss Rosie de Vardei has a comparatively small, if important part, as Mrs. Horridge, the vulgar wifa of the hatter. She got many laughs during the second act, which is the only, occasion on which, she is seen, and! in some comical interludes with Jack Cannot she was very successful.

"Whirled Into Happiness" has no catchy song melody for patrons to muni on their homeward way, but included in the musical numbers are some songa which have already captivated the public fancy, as well as several new items. "Once in a While," a pretty little thing with a wistful note running through it, was sung as a duet by Miss McManua and Mr. Hodgson, and in this as well as in the "Letter Song," also sung -with Mr. Hodgson, the bright young star was heard to distinct advantage. She possesses a voics of fine timbre, well suited to musical comedy. "Life in the 014 Dog Yet," sung by Mona Barlee and Jack Cannot, and the comical "Down and Out," by Athol Tier and Mr. Hodgson, were among the best of a long series of excellent musical items. There are fewer ballets and ensembles than is usually the case in a Williamson show, but on those occasions when the shapely members of the big chorus are on the stage the effect is distinctly pleasing. The dancing and work of the superblyfrocked ballet is excellent. Nor would any reference to the production be coin« plete without a word of praise for Mr. Percy le Fre, whose gyrations in a new; eccentric dance drew rounds of applause, while Miss Eeita Nugent, assisted by Mr. Fred McKay, was seen in a daintily executed dance number entitled "Sleep."

'"Whirled Into Happiness" will be repeated nightly till Saturday, when H will be replaced by "Primrose."