"RIO RITA."

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19666, 9 July 1929, Page 14

"RIO RITA."

A FULLER TRIUMPH. AT THE OPERA house

Xo the modern musical playwright life is an eternal hunt after new ideas for productions that will always be just a little better than their predecessors. And as the years 20 by their task must Income increasingly difficult for thereis nothing that it quite new. They must- therefore choose a theme that is capable of taking on a new guise, and now-a-days three or four or more collaborate in the production of something that will hare an appeal to every stallholder, every person in the circle, and every habitue of the gallery. Greasers and gringoes, and the clash of Americans and Mexicans xvere found to provide something really colourful for the latest in musical revue that has come to Christchurch—hence "Rio Rita." which was introduced to a large and happy audience in the Opera House last night. From nil accounts Americans and Mexicans are not over-full of the milk of human kindness towards each other, and this is apt to result in fearful goings-on in the region of Rio Grande. The romantic nature of the locality' and the people—according to certain novels and motion pictures is capable of supplying a wealth ot colour, and this, combined with a main shaft in the machinery of the plot m the shape of Rita, the, passionate beautv, makes the musical comedy eminently acceptable in all its man} departments. The play had a great run in Australia, and it appears that ! here also it will be land«o ;; c £ he jTi."!° r ! after its d*_ j mine, which exceeded ther victor al depth, were to be e To be =U r leave a su&cient nuly must contain " good* -<fi.«&.*«* "of music, dancing, real comedy, some sentiment, spectacular frocking and mounting, and a theme-song that will capture tne 1 favour of the younger generation. 'Rio ! Rita" has all these in just the right amounts, and the theme-song itself is i particularly well known. In fact, v> "came out" a considerable time agoWhether this procedure of allowing the main musical theme to appear long before the production, of which it J s an integral part, comes along, is a matter for individual opinion. In any event it was as fresh ae ever wnen heard last evening in its proper setting. In the title role is Gladvs Moncrieff, who nlavs the daughter of an American father and a Mexican mother a truly picturesque character —through whose veins runs hot. passionate Spanish blood. Curiously enough in tins case, however, hei heart does not run away with her head, probably on account of her strain of Anglo-Saxon caution. Rita is the target for the adoration of one General Enrique .Toselito Esteban. a Mexican, but a dashing captain of the Texas Rangers, Jim Stewart, has been the successful hesieger of her heart. Stewart's mission in life is to beep the pea-ce along the United States bank of the river. Mexican gangsters are under dark suspicion for a bank hold-up in U.S.A. and Stewart's clear duty is to get to the bottom of the affair. Before he sheets home the crime to the actual wrong-doer, known as the "Kinkajou," he clashes with Esteban, and is also placed in the invidious position of having to arrest Rite's brother, who has been made a ' bf the ; j-obber and his colleagues. It would be a somewhat sad ending to a musical play if there were no marriage bells to sound the final note, and in '' Rio Rita" there is not one but three. Misa Moncrieff had to pause, after her first appearance, to acknowledge the enthusiastic welcome extended to her. Impressive in personality, her sparkling acting and fresh voice contained all the excellence for which she is notable. As to Leslie Pearce, playing the captain of fte Bangers, it is probable that few girls in the house were not stirred by his fine appearance, polished lovemaking, and finished singing. And no doubt there were a few men who possibly resolved to take a lesson. Of Janctte Gilmore a great deal could be . said. for, in addition to being a bril- . liant comedienne, and possessing a remarkable personality, she included in j her equipment the art of the roller- j skater, dancer, and acrobat. She :s, indeed, the complete musical comedy artist. The main business of Messrs Dave Mallen and Charles Norman was to supply a vaudeville atmosphere, and they succeeded in this to such an extent that they were a show on their own, drawing burst after burst of laughter at every appearance. With Miss Gilmore. they made a triple alliance of comedy. < Of ballets, "Rio Rita" has a vast number, and every one Is excellent. Particularly notable were an Aztec parade and a moonlight ballet in which the spectacular element was achieved by brilliant costumes conWasted with a dim stage. All the costumes —and they did not err on the side of generosity—were novel. colourful, and dazzling in their smartness. Of the settings, the last, for the triple wedding, with new lighting effects, stood out as the most striking of a stirring series. The music of the play is enchanting, and the outstanding numbers were the "River Song," "Rio Rita." and "If You're ia Love You'll Waltz." Headed by Mr Pearoe, the male chorus of Rangers provided another number that raised the house to strong enthusiasm. ■ It -.vould seem that the producers o? this Fuller triumph have followed the lead of C. B. Cochran, the famous T/onentrepreneur, in the matter 0? a return to the rounded form on the part of the ballet ladies, for the "6lim boyish figure" of recent theatrical years is now no more. "Rio Rita" will he played again to-night.