"ROBERTA" SEASON.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 227, 25 September 1935, Page 11

"ROBERTA" SEASON.

MADGE ELLIOTT, CYRIL RITCHARD It is a considerable time since land playgoers were last given an opportunity to enjoy a Williamson musical comecly, and it is not surprising to learu that great interest is being taken in t reappearance here of Madge Elliott and Cyril Ritchard in the spectacular v 3 "Roberta," the first stage version of whion will be presented at His Majesty e TheaU« on Wednesday night next. Roberta was described in Sydney as the liveliesi and most satisfying musical play there Tor years. Otto Harbach it m saul provided an unusually good book and the music by Jerome Kern _ 6 tuneful. There are ten scenes m all ano the scenic artist has. evidently done sonic particularly attractive work in tut modernistic vein. „ r io-ma' Cyril Ritchard, who eaw the New York production ot _ Roberta, le responsible for the production, including the ballet and dances. Roberta i lavishly staged and dressed and the mannequin parade is said to be the most pretentious ever attempted on the Is en Zealand stage. Madge Elliott and Cyr Ritchard will be seen, it is stated, n parte that may have been specially created for these two popular artists, an. they are backed up by Ethel Morrison Leo Franklyn, Frank Leigh ton. Mane Li Varre Arthur Clarke, John Dobbie, Irif Hart,' Elaine Hamill, Leslie Crane anc others, including a full operatic chorus ballet and orchestra.