"PRIMROSE."

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18681, 3 May 1926, Page 8

"PRIMROSE."

BRIGHT MUSICAL SHOW A LESSON IN PRODUCTION. Musical comedy, the class of entei tainnient for which the public has fo ( a long time past shown the greates j partiality, again holds sway at th Theatre Royal, the new J. C. William ! son Company having commenced a sea j son on Saturday night with the three | act production, "Primrose," which pro\ j ed a delight to the very large audi en c j present. Any company which has M t George Gee in its ranks is assured o ! success in Christchureh, especially whe; . he is supported by a leading ladv o . such eminence as -Miss Margery Hick lin, a newcomer to the City, who play . ed in the original production in Londoi , for twelve months; by Miss Dorotln i Lena, wlio did so well here some months , rgo in "Leave It To Jane," and Ir such an old favourite as Mr Jack Can not, and others, also well known. "Primrose" is a feast for the ev< and the ear, and it is safe to say thai no play of its kind has been better pro duced in Christchureh. The book, writ ten by George Grossmith and Guy 80l ton, is bright and snappy throughout and one has to pay close attention t< the play in order not to miss 'any o: the jokes which follow each other s< rapidly. The music is catchy arid tune fill, and the ballots are a credit t< ihe ballet mistress, Miss Alinnie Ever Ctt. In productions of this type, whicl have so many attractive features, anv thing in the nature of a plot is gen erally deemed to be superfluous. It i: so in "Primrose," the story of whicl concerns a young man who is engager to marry a girl with whom he is 1101 the least in Jove, nor for that maltei is she with him, but her father has made up his mind that the two familiej shall be brought closer together; lionet the girl's protestations avail her no thing. A writer of best sellers arrives on the scene, and the girl and he arc mutually attracted by each other. Or this foundation is built up a structure of amusing complications, in which misunderstandings play, an important part, and in which the principals arc provided with numerous opportunities for the display of their talents, the curtain falling on just the kind of ending that an audience likes. Mr George Gershwin has composed some sparkling music for "Primrose," and several of the songs are so popular that tliej' are already familiar to many people in Christchureh. Some of t.hesc are, "Somebody Loves Me,"' "All Alone," "Wait A Bit, Susie," and "Blue Hoosier Blues." The dancing is excellent, and in the final scene there is a remarkable ballet, entitled "IVAmour d'uu Faun," in which a faun is induced by the exquisite terpsichoriean art of a girl to leave his pedestal in a garden to join her. The big feature of the production, however, occurs in the final act during the singing of "Blue Hoosier Blues," when to the amazement of the audience the performers undergo a metamorphosis, changing in complexion and costume from people of a past period to jazzing negroes.. The audience has just made up its mind that its eyesight is not playing any pranks with it, when in a flash the scene is changed, and the dancers become white again. The effects are carried out by the clever use of lighting, and those who have had a lengthy expedience of the Theatre Royal state that in this respoct they cannot remember having seen anything quite so well done. The producer, Mr Harry B. Btircher, has reason to feel proud of his work. Naturally,- the lion's share of the comedy "work falls on the shoulders of Mr George Gee, who appears to improve with every visit. He is an adept at fooling and in the character of Toby .Meopham, a blue-blooded person of eccentric behaviour, he is quite at home. None of his jokes failed to get a laugh, and if he had danced all night, the audience would still have clamoured for more. He was able to show his versatility towards the end of the entertainment, when he appeared as an amorous'lady, in the aiitumn of life, who told her troubles in the song, "What Lore Means to Girls Liko Me." Miss Margery Hicklin made good from the moment of her entry. She has a way with her that goes well with an audience, and acts naturally. She was admirably cast as Joan Falls, the girl around whom the action of the play revolves. She also sings clearly. Miss Dorothy Lena, as Pinkie Peach, raised much •laughter as the young woman of lowly station determined to enter society. I

As Michael, her rough brother, Mr Jack Cannot was thoroughly satisfactory, investing the character with the right atmosphere, and participating with Mr Gee in Bome amusing interludes. Mr Leyland Hodgson confirmed the good opinions formed regarding his acting when he was here some months a giving a pleasing interpretation of the part of Hilary Vane, the novelist. As the pompous Lady Meopham, who takes great pride in her ancestry, and whose principal fear is that her son Toby \Vill not always behave himself with the dignity that should characterise a scion of such a family, Miss , Rosie Le Varde left no room for complaint, while Miss Beita Nugent showed that she is not only a dancer, but also an actress. The smaller parts were all taken satisfactorily by other members of the Company. Assisted by a corps de ballet, and Misses May Harris and Bene Murphy, as leaders, Mr Fred MacKay and Miss Mavis Sayer charmed all with their delightful dancing in the spectacular ballet. A word of praise is also due to the capable playing of the orchestra, under Mr Cass Downiug. The season of "Primrose" will bo a short one, but it should be a highly successful one.