"THE ARCADIANS"

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 245, 16 October 1944, Page 7

"THE ARCADIANS"

MELODY AT HIS MAJESTY'S Many winners have passed the post since "The Arcadians" first fell down on Askwood Racecourse out of a thunderclap with the laudable intention of banishing from England the pernicious habit of lying, and, generally, of converting the sophisticated to nuts, fruit and the simple life. Bui the musical comedy, as revived by the Light Opera Club before a crowded house in His Majesty's on Saturday night, proved to have lost none of its pristine qualities of entertainment. Above the rounds of applause at the final curtain were shouts of "Good show! Good show!" Everyone came out laughing and talking happily, which Is the acid test of a first night. Musical director Frank Poore is a ball of enthusiasm —an enthusiasm which leaps across the footlights to inspire the big company of 86 singers and dancers. There has been no harder working company on the stage of His Majesty's. Arthur Wimperis' lyrics, to the longpopular music of Monckton and Talbot, were well and tunefully sung, and the principals, all experienced soloists, sang most acceptably those old favourites, "The Pipes of Pan," "The Girl With a Brogue," "Arcady is Ever Young," "Charming Weather," "Bring Me a Rose," "I've Got a Motter" (always merry and bright!) and "Half-past Two." Some of these young moderns won't recognise them under their titles, but they are run-of-the-mill on the radio programmes. Cavorting through three acts in a leopard skin, Stan Lawson, as Simplicitas, made those of us who first saw him with the "Famous Diggers" of 1914-18 vintage green with envy of his inexhaustible youth and versatility. He is joy germ No. 1, with the veteran Rex Yates as the dismal Peter Doody, setting the house in gales of laughter. What Lawson does by ebullience of spirit Yates contrives by the ultimate in lugubriousness. Maurice Gray, as juvenile lead, has a polished assurance and easy grace which makes him an immediate favourite. Winifred Clements, as the evangelistic Arcadian shepherdess, Sombra, plays her part with a wholesome charm, sharing the honours with Molly Donald in the soubrette-like character of a fashionable Irish miss come to London. Phyllis Gribbin as the newly-rich wife of the restaurant proprietor turned Arcadian is that rare artist—a laugh-winning woman. Then there is Janet Frater, winsome as Sombra's companion. There are nine others in substantial name-parts, all deserving of praise, but the spotlight must swing over to Rowena Jackson, her danseur noble, Bryan Ashbridge, and the talented ballet, all of whom delighted the audience in the excellence of their technique. Doll-like, Rowena Jackson has achieved that freedom of choreographic expression which wins instant appreciation. It is an expensively-mounted show, colourfully frocked, not without blemishes, but generally on a professional standard. The exercise of so much talent is a credit to producer Stan Lawson, and deserves a season of full houses.