AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20624, 13 August 1932, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

"BLUE ROSES." EXCELLENT PRODUCTION AT v THEATRE ROYAL. The short scaeon of ."Blue Kosea" at the Theatre Royal seems likely to be a record one from the point of view of enthusiasm and attendances. Thanks to that most engaging couple, Madge .Elliott arid Cyrii Kitchard,. "Blue Koses" is as rare, and novel theatrically a* are blue roses horticulturally. ■ Even apart from: this pair it would be an exceptionally pleasant musical comedy, with less sentimonte.lity, more comely ballets, and better emgmg. than most; but with their aid it has become one of the leading successes of recent years. Miss,Elliott and Mr Kitchard dance and sing with a special exhilaration, as though determined to show what, they have learned from their long years abroad. Their/ own spirit has become the spirit of the company. The comedy is played in.a mood almost of abandonment, and thus it has gained a pace and spontaneity as rare as they are delightful. Cecil Kelleway and Leo Franklin are the comedians of the piece, the first a very amiable and chubby detective, and the other a hard-boiled American tourist Mr Kellev/ay has n«ver had a more congenial part, and his behaviour in the last scene is ridiculously funny. The .ballet burlesque, in which he is joined by Frank Leighton, is in its way hardly less admirable than the-major ballet, which precedes it. Mr Leighton makes a. good foil for ;Mr KitchaTd, and sings and dances pleasantly. Dulcie Davenport acts and dances .very brightly, notably in the first duet, "Practice on Me." "FOLLOW THROUGH." Next Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and on Saturday afternoon Cyril Kitchard, Madge ElliotC and J: C. Williamson's musical comedy company, which.is at present attracting large audiences in "Blue Roses," will appear- in the initial presentation' here of ihe very humorous and deliciously tuneful musical comedy "Follow Through," in which the present company enjoyod a big triumph in Australia recently. An Australian critic wrote i tho following. "'Follow Through' is a musical comedy that really entertains. Its two acts contain a succession of attractions and specialties sufficient to make two musical comedies. It proved a smashing, dashing musical hit. Whether you golf or whether you do not, playgoers will-fin dwondorful exhilaration in the outstanding musical play. It is presented by a magnificent cast of favourites, and its ballets arc quite a fcaturo or tho production." As the title implies, "Follow Through" , has a golfing interest, combined, of course, with a love romance during which two-women are seen playing the last green in an exciting golf championship. "Follow "Through" ia said to bo richly en-

dowod with comedy scenes and situations, and in this respect Cyril Rltcbard, Cecil Kellaway; Leo. Franklin, Frank Leighton, and Pnlcie Davenport all assist to keep the andtancM. amused. Miss Madge Elliott is said to be at her best. as.'the heroine in the go" ffl » tch ; and during the production she and Cyril Kitchard present a series of original and delightful dance specialties, in which they are assisted by the- very clever team _ of girlß whose'work is outstandingly, good in ''Blue Eoses." Others in the cast are Jean, Duncan,. Mona Zeppel, Elvedi Joy, Mary. Rigby, Arthur Cornell, Cecil Pawley, Eric Bush, and other artists. ~