THEATRE ROYAL.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17700, 28 February 1923, Page 5

THEATRE ROYAL.

"MARY." Another luge attendance was present in the Theatre last night when the second performance oi "Mary" waa given by tne J. C. Williamson Musical Comedy CompanyWhile it embraces ail the features usual to musical comedies, "Mary" is different in that it is characterised by a super-abundance oi dancing, practically evciy song being supported by a ballet. The eye is thus pieaseu as well aa the ear, the result being a completer enjoyment than is possible when only the acoiuUc senses are appea.ed to. lne production is ahead of its predecessor, -a--Night Out," in many particulars, good though that piece was. One of tho most charming scenes in the production is that featuring a miniature house, which is sr- 0 *" during the singing of "The Love Zvest. "Mary" contains many delightful musical numbers, some of which are: ''Anything Xoil Want To Do Dear," "Mary," and "Waiting, and all of which are taking enough to mattone desire to hear tliem several times. It has no dearth of clean comedy running tinoughout, with just the right amount of sentiment to keep one's attention throughout its presentation. More so than in 'A Night Out," the principals have opportunities to display their talents, nnd each of them 13 equal to the task, Hisa Maud Pant is really excellent in the name part, her Hinging, dancing, and acting, being at all times satisfying. Mias Madge Elliott, too, is smother f.rtiste who dos>s well all that is asked of her. Mr W. S. Percy acts the part ot the amorous Frenchman to perfection, and to him the major portion of the comedy i" entrusted, which is another wr.y of saymg that he keeps the audience in a state of mirth during his preeenco on the stage. The other members of the company are also successful in their respective parts. "Mary" will be repeated for the following three nights. "Oh, Lady, Lady." On Saturday night the company will stage for the first time in Christchurch the Kew York musical comedy sensation, "Oh, Lady, Lady," which conies with the reputation of having actually beaten.the records established in Sydney ty "The Merry Widow" and "Our Miss Gibbsi" "Oh, Lady, Lady" is regarded as one of the brightest and gayest productions of its kind Ui« stage has known for many a day, and its succesa' is due primarily to the fact that it hits the popular taste. In other wcrds. it is up-to-date as regards the story, music, and dressing, and the producer has taken full advantage of the opportunities to auake it one of the most spectacular productions the .T. C. Williamson, Ltd., management haß yet staged. The story concerns the efforts of a mother to prevent «■ wedding, of which she by no means approves, and this . provides the groundwork for many delightfully humorous situations. Miss Mautl Fane has proved in tho first two operas staged during the present season that she is even more delightful than when she last appeared in Ohristchtirch, and her voice is as full and as melodious as ever. She is at her best, it is said, as "Fainting Fanny," and she has been lavishly praised -elsewhere for her singing of "Mammy," "Think of Me, and two melodious duets -with W. S. Percy—"Cosy Nest" and "I Found You." W. S. Percy is said to be irresistibly funny as the reformed bur.sW, bis crisp, snappy stylo and genial personality shining out in the part. Madge Elliott and Cyril Richards will again be seen to great adVanta?'? in "Oh, Lsdv, Lady." in which they both hare suitable characters to portray, and, as in the other operas, their dancing is a feature of the new mmical cr-rnedv. Boland Hogue, Field Fisher, Cecil Kellaway," .Tack Hooker, Millie Kna-ler. Floie Allen, and Gwen Withers are all in the cast. Only four representations can be staged of •*Oh, Lady Ledy," for which the box plans will be opened to-morrow morning.