MUSICAL COMEDY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18922, 10 February 1927, Page 10

MUSICAL COMEDY.

MARIE BURKE IN "KATJA." THEATRE ROYAL. Musical comedy, the class of entertainment for which Cliristchurch has always shown preference, is again in occupation of the Theatre Royal. The Williamson Company, headed by Miss Marie Burke, last night commenced a local season before an audience, the size and enthusiasm of which augured well for success. The book of "Katja" is written by Leopold Jacobson and Rudolph Ocsterrisher, and the music is by Jean Gilbert. It is possible that in its adaptation to English requirements "Katja" has lost a little of its original quality, but if so it was not noticeable last night, from which one is entitled to assume that the adapters, Frederick Lonsdale and Harry Graham, have done their work well. "Katja" is notable for its brightness and colour, its mountings, its comedy, and ballets, and its music, which, although not of the very catchy type, is such as can be heard again without palling on one. Indeed, it is considerably better than that of the average musical comedy and for that reason it is not surprising that its Viennese characteristics have made it so popular in London and other big theatrical centres where it has been produced.

The plot if, as usual in such productions, slender and does not puzzle one to follow. Prince Carl, whilo travelling incognito, meets Kat.ja, a dancer, and falls violently in love with her. She is also attracted by him, and agrees lo meet him and have supper at his rooms. Her dancing partner discovers the identity of the Prineo and denounces him to Katja as the man who has caused her to lose her position and estates. Who decides to have nothing further to do with him, but is prevailed on to change, her mind, the idea being that she will drug his wine, and so deliver him into the hands of his enemies, who seek his life. However, he is able to provo to her that none of her sufferings was due to his efforts, and she prevents the tragedy from taking place. It only remains for Prince Carl to givo back their freedom to his enemies, who have been placed under arrest, to prove that ho is indeed a different character from that which he was supposed to be Then Kat.ja promises to become his wife, and all is happiness. Among llio musical numbers that go so far towards making Katja tho success it is, perhaps tho most catchy is "Lcander," whose 'strains have been familiar to Cliristchurch for some, months past. "Those Eyes So Tender, "Just For a Night," "If You Cared," and "Love and Duty" also strike one favourable Tho work of. Mr Chnrlca Wenman "as producer and Miss Minnie Hooper as danco mistress result in "Katja" being made a colourful spectacle. The star, Miss Mane Burke, who made such a hit in Cliristchurch on tho occasion of her previous visit in "Wildtlower," unfortunately lias less to do in "Katja" than ono would like, but of course she does it all extremely well. She had the name part, and acted, sang, and danced her way into tho affections of tho audience. A new comedian of original ways was introduced, Mr R. Barrctt-Lennard, who is already a firm favourito in Cliristchurch. He has tho ability to score his points without apparent effort, besides which ho can sing and dance well. The audience did not know at the commencement of the first act whether they were going to like him or not, but it was not long before they showed in no unmistakable manner that he had made good. Tho part of the prince, a character which seems tp bo indispensable to musical plays of Continental origin, was in the capablo hands of Mr Herbert Browne, whose singing was a bright feature of tho production, and gained him warm approbation. It more than offset his lack of princely bearing. Mr Cecil Kcllaway was at his best as Count Orpiteh, and for a man of his bulk showed surprising agility. Miss Thclma Burness made a charming Patricia Orpiteh, being completely successful in the role, and Miss Babette Odeal also performed, well as Maud. Mr Noel Dainton was convincing in tho rather fierce role of Ivo, Katja's dancing partner, and good work wns also' dono by Mr Frank Hawthorne as Simon, and Mr Charles Zoli as Boscart, chief of the police. "Katja" will bo succeeded by "Wildflower," which will be revived on Wednesday for three nights.