GLADYS MONCRIEFF RETURNS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18308, 16 February 1925, Page 6

GLADYS MONCRIEFF RETURNS.

«A SOUTHERN MAID."

The b« pWns lor "A, Southern Maid 1 ' .„, ■plaTEoers are eagerly awaitmorning next. .Piaygocra o » . ingitho return and reappearance of the J. C. Williamson Royal Optra Company in the new musical play "A Southern Maid, , an Asche production. Of this charming comic opera, the critic of the Auckland Herald writes:—"A great holiday audience hailed with delight the first production in Ancktad. of the romantic musical comedy "A Southern Maid," bv. the J.-O. Williamson Royal Comic Opera Company... Success was assured from the. opening chorus and serenada. and became" confirmed as the play ran brisk?y 'and melodiously inji .pleasant. environment. "A Southern Maid'.' ,s full sistey ™Hs author's "Maid of the. Mountains, Lnd holds much of the charm and musical oeauty of the better-known production. Indeed Miss Gladys Moncneff, as Dolores, is given rather more scope for her captivating Irt as a singer than she had in her former triumph as the -"Maid ■■*>■ The story is set in Santiago, and touches_ the Latin-American liking for a vendetta. Thus the theme servesto introduce sentimental jind even dramatic situations, in whieb. Miss Monrrieff.aa Dolores, and Mr Claude Femming. as the swashbuckling Francesco del Fuego, head of a vendetta, take full • advantage of generous opportunities to achieve nm; in tuneful soiigs; to'say. nothing atall about their marked histrionic ability. The-more romantic incidents of .the story are cleverly interwoven with brisk Comedy and broad burlesque, in which Mr. Arthur Stigant as Walter Wex, the manager of the plantation and a cafe proprietor, leads in the. production of wholesome mirth.- The company, as a whold, provide a rare measure of support. Prominently placed are, also Messrs Blake Adams, Edmund Sherras, Nellie Payne, Mabel Gibson, and Linda Foy. , , , iL "A Southern Maid" will be played for the first four nights, and will be followed by. "The Merry Widow" • for three nights.