MUSICAL COMEDY.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20612, 30 July 1932, Page 10

MUSICAL COMEDY.

"BLUE ROSES'® COMING. "Blue Hoses," the successful London musical comedy, wift make its Christchureh premiere at the Theatre Royal on Thursday, August 11th. The two stars are Cyril Ritchard and Madge Elliott, who are making their appearance hero after an absence of seven years. ' Tho reappearance in Sydney of these artists was tho signal for an unparalleled display of enthusiasm from one of the largest and most distinguished audiences that had ever filled tho J. q. Williamson theatre there. The play was frequently interrupted by tho enthusiastic applause, and at tho final fall of the curtain nil the artists had to come beforte the curtain to be cheered again and again by the delighted audience. "Blue Roses" is an English production, bein'g written by Desmond Carter and Caswell Garth, and its glorious music was com- ! posed by Vivian fillis. Critics acclaimed "Blue Roses" the best musical comedy (lie Australian stage has known since "Rose Marie," so it is, therefore, not surprising to Icniti that it proved a record-breaker iu both Sydney and Melbourne. Madge Elliott and Cyril Ritchard impersonate one pair of lovers, and Dulcie Davenport and Frank Leighton the other pair, all o£ whose fortunes are more or less affected by tho blue rose, which during the progress of an interesting story is .taken by an American collector (Leo Franklin), and in its place a bogus one is substituted. Cyril Ritchard is said to be highly humorous in the role of Chepstow Potts, and he is well backed up in the comedy scenes by Cecil liellaway. Leb Franklin, Dulcie Davenport, and—-Frank Leighton. Of oourse, on, outstanding feature of the production is the dancing of Madge Elliott and Cyril Ritchard. "In tlio first act," wrote a Sydney critic, "Miss Elliott and Mr Ritchard gained their first big dancing success in tho duet, "Let's Be Sentimental," when they danced to a waltz measure, hardly seeming to touch the stage as they moved, and then suddenly changed to a rapid theme in the manner of a polka, and made a whirlwind exit which led. to no less than four recalls. In this dance they demonstrated steps not previously seen in Australia." Another feature of "Blue Rosea'' is tho work of a team of young.ballet girls who were specially trained in their various numbers by Cyril Ritchard. The orchestra has been augmented for Ihe present tour, as it was in Australia, by the inclusion of a number of saxophone players, who are under the direction of Mr William Quintrell. "Blue will bo followed by the exhilarating and most entertaining musical comedy, "Follow Through.