MUSICAL COMEDY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20033, 15 September 1930, Page 9

MUSICAL COMEDY.

"SO THIS IS LOVE." THEATRE ROYAL. again -after a successful season in Dunedin, the J. G. Williamson English Musical Comedy Co., with Clom Dawe in the chief comedy role, opened at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night for a three-day "season of £'So This is Love," a bright, tuneful musical comedy that the packed house enjoyed from beginning to end. As with the previous presentation the scenic effects and dressing left nothing to be desired, giving that effective background that helps so much in making for good entertainment. The play is in two acts, with the second one divided into three scenes and, right through, the music is brighter and more catchy than that in "Love Ließ." The ballet was again conspicuous for its excellent work, and there was not once of all their appearanceß that thoy did not leave the stage to a burst of genuine applause. The story of "So This is Love," while more or less sketchy, as is the case with most musical comedies, tells of the love affairs of a millionaire bachelor (Michael Cole), who has fallen in love with his secretary (Betty Eley). The girl will not have him, however, as people are saying she wants him only for his money. T,he millionaire's sharebroker (Clem Dawe) is on his honeymoon, and he and Hap. J. Hazard, an American fixer (Bobby Gordon), devise a scheme to straighten out the tangle. As usual, Clem Dawe carries the burden on his shoulders, and there was not a moment of his time on the stage when he did not have the audience laughing. Some of the gags are witty and the humour throughout was clean and fast. Bobby Gordon works well with the little comedian, and the two were responsible for some- delightful fooling at times. Paul Plunkett was cast as tha "heavy," and Les White, Dan Agar, and. Corapton Coutts filed the minor roles. The bulk of the work among the girls was borne by Betty Eley and Kitty Stewart. Miss Eley is a graceful dancer, has a good stage presence, and her work earned much well-merited applause. Miss Stewart was bright and amusing, and with Clem Dawe, had much to do with keeping the fun going through the evening. Marie Eaton was the "bad woman" of the • piece, ■ and did her best to upset all the plans made for the happiness of the principals. Mona. Barlee, well-frocked and bright, had a minor part, which she carried through successfully. Elyie Ellis was again in a. part as the maid. Tho musical numbers were bright and cheerful, one of the best' being

Mies Eaton's duet with Mr Cole, "All the Time." There is a cat<;hy lilt running through this that makes it very attractive. Clem Dawe's solo, "Hats Off to Edgar Wallace," won him several recalls. Among the other numbers that appealed were "Hop on Your Toes," "I'm a little bit Shy," "Keep Cool," and "Cornflower Bines." As with "Love Lies," the specialty dancing of Mona. Zeppel was again one of the outstanding features of the performance. Now that it is all over it can be stated that when she made her appearance at the theatre last month she was handicapped by,the fact that her regular dancing , partner had left the show and John Robertson had filled the vacancy at a moment's notice, which meant that there had been very little time for rehearsal. As a consequence there was a lack of confidence in the way he caught and held her. On Saturday night, however, all this had g#ne, and the little dancer was able to show her audience a,much more graceful finish to her work. The applause she received during her dance was thoroughly deserved. "So this is .Love" will be given tonight and to-morrow, being replaced on Wednesday by . ."Hold Everything," which is having its premiere in the Dominion.