THEATRE ROYAL.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17702, 2 March 1923, Page 10

THEATRE ROYAL.

"MARY." There was another full house at the Theatre Royal last night, when the deligntri> dancing; musical comedy, -'Mair," was a.ain staged. Miss Maud Fane, Mr W. b. Percy, Mr Cecil Keilaway, Miss Madgo Elliott. Mr Cyril Rilchard. anu the rest of the clever company gained many more admirers while the magnificent setting and dressing of the play evoked much admiration. "Mary" will be played for the last time to-night. "OH, LADY, LADY," TO-MORROW NIGHT. It is seldom that a big musical comedy company has three plays in ita repertoire which ure of equal value so far as popularity and actual receipts are concerned. Th's is the case with the J. 0. Williamson, Ltd, Company, at present appearing .so successfully at tho Theatre Royal. I hero are r.i course, various opinions as to whicii is 'tl»» bt>sn of the three operas. Many declare <a<- "A Night Out," a large number fo* ■•Marv," but so far as Australia is concerned,' "Oh, Lady Lady," is by far thj most popular, which is proved by the fact that it run for upwards of 21 weeks in Sydnev, and for 20 weeks in Melbourne. "Oh. Ladv, Lady" has been described as "a six-cylinder gloom chaser, which defies all speed laws, raising enough hilarious dash i-i Its flight to icake the onlooker forges all about his troubles, if he has any." The music by Jerome Karne. with introduced numbers, including "Whispering" mid "Mammy," is delightfully tuneful and earhaunting The plot concerns the love affair of Willoughby Pinch, who. when about to ir.arrv Molly Farriugton, is baulked by a chapter of comic accidents not unconnected with other people's lovo affairs. Marjone ISarber, ono of "Finch's old "affaire, -urns up at tho last moment, and his best man. Halo Underwood, in arranging that sho shail not smother the wedding belli?, arranges an idiotic plan, which upsets everything. I his plan involves "Spike" Hudgins aud I'anuy Welch, of the underworld, who become suspected of stealing a string of pearls itho groom's gift to the bride), and Cyril Townsioy, a fat and flippant private dotective with an exaggerated Bond street accent, and a Chaplin cane. The scenes aro the Farringtou drawing-room and a roof •garden in Greenwich Village (New York), tho Latin quarter of Gotham, a place alleged to be an excuse for any brand of naughtiness. ~, ~ ~. "Oh, Lady, Lady" will witness Miss Maud Fane in a new role, as Fanny Welch, better known to the police as "Fainting Fanny" owing to the manner in which she picks pockets. In this role Miss Fano displays new facets in comedy. Her singing of "Mammy," accompanied by tho full chorus with Ukuleles, is ore of the features of the production. Mr W. S. Percy is said to bo exceptionally humorous as Spike, and the other members of the company aro all happily cast. The dancing is a feature of tho new opera, and so aro lho dresses, the scenery, and tho general mounting. It will be impossible to extend the season, so that only four representations can bo staged of "Oh, Lady Lady." Tho plans aro at The Bristol.