"FLORODORA"

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21096, 22 February 1934, Page 7

"FLORODORA"

—« — BRIGHT MUSICAL PLAY FOURTH SUCCESSFUL PRODUCTION f A good manj- years have passed . since the popular melodies of "Florof dora"—"Tell Mc, Pretty Maiden" and - "The Sheltering Palm" were sung or 1 whistled in Christchurch, yet the play has a distinct charm as revived by the J. C. Williamson Company, now occupying the boards at the Theatre Royal. For plot the play has little in its composition to make it something for posterity. It rests mainly s upon tuneful music, a little excellent burlesque, and some very fine comedy L l lines. "Tell Mc. Pretty Maiden" really made the comedy in London and elsewhere, and still the sight of six very - smartly attired young women, with • their silk-hatted swains, contains a • large amount of its old charm. With tiie addilion of a few topical allusions, s j the performance: in the Theatre Royal

- last night—well attended—was prc*j- ;_ ably more interesting to present-day - theatre-goers than to the old habitues i of the stalls. ; Although the plot develops on very 3 familiar lines, it offers many oppor- ' Utilities for the introduction of modern comedy work, and here Messrs Phil " Smith and Don Nicol shone brightly. ' The company was on safe ground with I all its artists,. Mr Smith, as Tw«edlepunch, trickster, phrenologist, and |. general humbug to all concerned, was j whimsical and exceedingly amusing, L and bobbed up at unexpected moments . with "gags" that reminded one . strongly of the triumphs of the old vaudeville stage—so longed for by , many theatre-goers in New Zealand.

T.tr Nicnl. as Cyrus Gill'ain. the AmeI i-:ccn millionr.il-'''. who h-i ' f.ma-sed his i wealth by the theft of the products of j the famous island oi' Florodora, in- | eluding tiie secret of its perfume, also I had a full packet of comedy lines I which he used to the utmost. His eccentric dance produced a treble | encore, and some of his "side gags'" I amused the company as well as the i audience. i Miss Romola Hansen. with her 1 charming soprano. was a delight. '"Silver Star of Love" and "Queen of the Philippines" found her excellently ca,"t musically, and she had to respond to recalls in each item. Miss Lois Green,

as Angela Gilfain, made much of the song "The Fellow Who Might," and was well supported. She played up to her tenor lover with supreme ease As Frank Abercoed, Mr Erie Bush, with Miss Mona Zeppel. and a small aide, executed a n;ar\ .:.llou c pice? r.\ doll dancing, and had to repeat it. For a leading baritone to be so accom- | plished in all sections of the musical | comedy stage is unusual, and lie is to be highly commended for his vocal j inimb'T'. | Playing Lady Holyrood, Miss Marie |la Varre presented a most salisfac- | tory performance, giving considerable j point to the designing vagaries of the titled swaggerer. In "Tact" she gave

forth the complete subtlety of the lines, and facial exoi ession had a good deal to do with her success. Singing very well, as usual. Mr Herbert Browne had a full role in Captain Arthur Donegal, and his numbers. "My Maid" and a "Military Man," the lasl with chorus and ballet, were admirable. Large in stature and in presence. Mr Oliver Peacock, as the dusky Lcandre, was impressive. One of '.\v< most entrancing numbers w:v; a :nodern dance, done to the melody of "Lily of Laguna." in Welsh costume. 1 Apart from the players, the design- I ei's of the settings have obviously put their best into the scenic work' and those responsible for the costuming have not been lacking in taste or in mode. In Act L. the tropic isle of Florodora is shadowed bv a clever I back-cloth of colourful beach and i I palms, and hi the second act the an- I ! cient castle, before which the ar- ; lists deliver their lines and take the play to a linale, is well constructed and convincing. Lighting, too. has much to do with the success of the show, and compliments mav be offered to all concerned with the production, j Without an efficient orchestra an- I musical comedy would be sadh' ' amiss, but this company is fortunate ! for. under the baton of Mr Harrv I Burton, the band is excellent. and ! gives fine body to soloists and chorus i alike. , Playing minor parts in the production are Milton Mitchell. David Grahame. Rupert Swallow. Peter Gor- I don. Ralph Daley, Charles Albert Doris Hopkins, Phyllis Curnow, Les- I lie Crane. Eunice Goodbcrg. Merle i Greenwood. Leah Miller. Cecily Vile- I Etta. Holloway. Ida Dunn, Audrey i Swayne. and Gwcn Walsh. I "Florodora" will be played again i to-night, and the following two nigh'-- : with a matinee on Saturdav i