"PRIMROSE."

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18674, 24 April 1926, Page 11

"PRIMROSE."

ENTRANCING MUSICAL PLAY. Of "Primrose," the latest J.' C. Williamson Musical Comedy offering, to be seen at the Theatre Royal on Saturday next, interpreted by the English Musical Comedy Company headed by Margery Hioklin, who will make her first appearance in G'hristchurch, the critic of the Melbourne "Ago" writes:— If ever a comedian had a part ibade for him, Mr George Gee has it in "Primrose," and the popular comedian makes tho mpat of his numerous opportunities As Toby Meopham (pronounced Moppam), he is in tho picture all the time. The librettists, George Grossmith and Guy Holton, have liberally endowed the part with witty lines and amusing gags, all of which aro put across in the inimitable Geo style. If only for the reason that it is one of the best mirth-provokera we have seen for a long time, "Primrose" is sure to he a success. But it has other attractions, not the least of them being the sumptuous staging and beautiful dancing. Tho producer and the ballet mistress have excelled themselves. Remarkable effects are obtained by clever arrangements of lighting and colour. A group of girls dressed in old-time Quaker costumes are suddenly transformed into a negro plantation chorus. Statues painted on a curtain suddenly come to life. These are examples of the scenic rovelties which lift "Primrose" above the averago musical comedy. Th" story is that of Hilary Yane, a novelist, and Joan Falls, tho leading figures. They fall in love, quarrel, and make it up again in a Bories of tuneful eongs and duets. Toby Meopham and Pinkis Peach, Dorothy Lena (a beauty specialist), also have their little romance; &nd Lady Sophia Moopham (Miss R<xie le Varde), discourses on the illustrious deeds of her ancestors. As Toby, explains, the French were swept off tho carpet at Crecy by the O'Ceda Meophams. , Pinkis Peach is amusingly represented by Miss Dorothy Lena. Pinkis serves as an excellent foil to Toby's wit. Miss Margery Hicklio endows the character of Joan with the requisite amount of ingenuous charm; and Mr Leyland Hodgson, as Hilary, is an appropriately ardent lover; Mr Hugh Steyne (Freddie Falls), Misa Reita JTugent (May Rooker), Mr Harry Wotton (Sir Betyamin Falls), and Mr; Jack Testro (Jaßon) are also prominent in the funlnaking. Individual dancing honours are shared by Reita Nugent and Freddie McKay. Of the songs and duets, one of the most amusing is "Mary, Queen of Sootts, by Messrs Gee and Steyne. A quartette, "Four Little Sirens We," sung by bathing girls, promises to be one of the most popular numbers. The box plana open on Wednesday at The Bristol.