CIVIC THEATRE.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19675, 19 July 1929, Page 9

CIVIC THEATRE.

fc.rt W,LW *»"" the principal attraction at JMJhio Tautre this week, is the screen ver- «. •* B ">»ness Orciy's historical novel. and it has caught the spirit j*«»lplMms of those stirring times in FlaDgj' w»«<k the Mid of the sixteenth een•JiliTi D ""a !anci la y almost powerless *K-r* lro " heel of Spanish invaders and jB«„ y hh m a,n Pl» «t«»ee and »midst fcußlTir * ss '* nufoWed the love story of %«lii Vv* 31 * d « Vargas—"Tho Flower of *wi» ibV'"!! BankT!, and Mark . van dinia w Mreened also "The Ciarina's *»«!» ■ •", icol<H,r feature, which told a "• incident m Russian historj.

"RIO RITA." ♦ COLOURFUL MUSICAL COMEDY. Last Monday "Rio Rita" was presented for the first time in Ckristchurch. Since then, it has each evening been attracting large audiences. It popularity is well deserved, for it is doubtful is such a bright and colourful musical comedy haß visited the city before. Greasers and Gringoes and the clash of Americans and Mexicans provide something really thrilling. I To be successful musical comedy must contain goodly quantities of music, dancing, real comedy, some sentiment, spectacular frocking and mounting, and a theme-song that will capture the favour of the younger generation. "Rio Rita" has all these in just the right amounts and the theme-song itself is particularly well known. In fact, it "came out" a considerable time ago. 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 contrasted 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 weddiug, 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 in Love You'll Waits." Headed by Mr Pearce, the male chorus of Rangers provided another number that raised the house to strong enthusiasm.