"THE BELLE OF NEW YORK."

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20087, 17 November 1930, Page 5

"THE BELLE OF NEW YORK."

SUCCESSFUL REVIVAL. THEATRE ItOYAL PRODUCTION. Of all comic operas "Tiie Belie 01 New York" is probably one of the most popular. It had a tremendous run many years ago when artists of the calibre oi' May Eeatty. Albert Whelan, Hairy Queally, Alf. Stephens* and W. S. Percy drew big houses nightly to thoir theatres. The younger generation has probably heard all about "The Br.!'' '' from parent; ' who enjoyed uau'.- : .ig melodies in d".ys gone by—-n:r;-i!?s that, likf< »_>ld line, have a ■ flavour of goodness and worth about then;. Tho J. C. Williamson firm's enterprise in staging a revival at the Theatre Tioyal on Saturday night was met by all the enthusiasm of which a packed house is capable. Many times during the show there were halts until tho applause had died down. Artists and audience were one in enjoyment. Indeed, at the end of Act 11. the curtain dropped and rose again and again and it was a very satisfied first night, audience that filed out homewards or elsewhere. The words are by Hugh Morten,' the music by Gustavo Kerber, and Fredet> iek Blackmail is tho producer.. While tho version departs in no material way fr->m the original it has been modernised and brought completely up to date. Ono of tho mo;.t interesting features of the production is tho fact that Leslie Holland was specially engaged to play his old role of lchabod Bronson. Mr" Holland has that happy flair for looking as though he was merely rehearsing a most congenial part. There is no strain, no striving after effect. For all to the contrary he might be wandering about, completely at ease and quite oblivious of tho audience. However they let him know that they were there many times when he brought off a particularly good niece of repartee or made a striking entrance. Seasoned artists of this typo make comic opera a thing to be remembered. Sidney Burchall, as young Harry Bronson, although probably not so experienced as Mr Holland, is another player of good finish and heroic style. He has a valuable asset in his voice and, given songs like thoie at the opening of the first act, "When a Man is Twentv-One," '"Wine. Women, and Song," "Oh, Sonny," and, with Miriam Lester, "When We Are Married," he cannot fail to make a. strong impression.

As Violet Gray, Romcla Hansen was charming and restrained. The roio ot the pretty Salvation Arniv lass is one requiring demure and dainty treatment, and this and more were given to it by Miss Han-sen, and her singing on Saturday night was excellent. With tho girls and men of the company in support she gained much applause with "Follow On," "The Purity Brigade. "1 Do, So There," and "At Ze Naughty, Naughty Folies Bergere." As Blinky Bill, denizen of the underworld and no respecter of persons, Jim Gerald had a good comedy role and with Connie Hobba as Mamie Clancy was able to present some admirable pieces of comedy and song. As in "The New Moon" he introduced a couple of extraordm- j :irily good eccentric dances. This is a. branch of the comedian's art that is invaluable on account of the variety th.it can bo introduced into a part. Other numbers in which Mr GeraT<l scored were "Little Sister Kissy," "She is the Belle of New \ork, ' and "Coogan's Fancy Ball." Bernard Manning, as Kenneth ; Mugg: Sidney Wheeler ft-s Doc JSninkins, William I'erryman. as Twiddles. ; and Don Nichol as the polite lunatic , were well cast —the latter, in the dim- j cult role of a homicidal maniac, being ■ particularly good. Other artists who I had quite a lot to do and who wero eminently successful, were Leslie Donaghey as Count Patsi Rattattoo, and Roy Baxter as Count Ratsi Rattattoo. Dulcie Davenport was in a congenial part as Kissy Fitzgarter, and Herbert Browne made a complete success, as he usually does, with the smart Mons Fricot. Amy Rochellee had a iairly big role as Cora Angelique, and her vivacious comedy work secured her many laughs. Others in subsidiary roles all appeared well. As is generally the case with a \\ llliamson production, the : Minnie Everett stamp was most noticeable in the excellent dances, ensembles, and groupings. The scenery, too, was well up to standard, showing first the dining-room of. Harrv Bronson's house in New \ork where the play opens ..with a bachelors dinner, later the conservatory,, then Chinese New Year in Pell street. New York. In Act 11. the scenery showed the interior of -a candy store, the Grand Central Railway Station, and the lawn of the casino at Narragansott fier ~ , „ As in last week's production, the orchestra, under Willie Redstone, had a big programme to go through. \> Inle tho "band" is more or less only incidental, it can have a tremendous effect, for good or h®d, on the best of musical plays. This orchestra—a big one—sends the music along "with snap ana sparkle and performs its part most, laudably . The actual story of tho play is too well known to require recounting Ifc revolves round the life, in New of the popular little Salvation Army lassie, the love for her ot a wealthy young man, his father's disagreement ■with his , proposals and subsequent change over to a more reasonable frame i of mind. ' The plot is quite a strong I or.e it does not insult the jnt/ellii gence. and it runs along smoothly and logicallv from curtain to curtain. . _ "The' Belle of New ork" will he repeated until Friday evening next and iudging bv the first night, should enjoy a"wonderfully successful season. . '