MUSICAL COMEDY

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22306, 21 January 1938, Page 16

MUSICAL COMEDY

The J. C. Williamson musical comedy company, headed by George Gee, will open its Christchurch season with "Over She Goes," on January 29. The success of the company is more or less a personal success for the chief funmaker, George Gee, an old favourite who is back with all his former verve and snap. Not that the company is a one-man show by any means; in support of George Gee are artists from the London, New York, and Australian stage who know their business to perfection. But all seem to pivot round the comic figure of George Gee, with complete success from the audience's point of view. Billie Worth, dancer and singer from the States; Valerie Hay. singer and dancer from England; Percy le Fre, from London; Donald Burr, from the States; Lois Green, from Australia, are only a few of the celebrities who constitute the company. Opening to the strains of "John Peel," and a hunting chorus and dance scene in an English manor house setting, "Over She Goes" has completely captivated crowded audiences. It careers crazily through a sea of comedy, in which lords, ladies, chorines, and Oxford-graduate policemen, swim merrily. George Gee, England's inimitable comedian, leads one of the most competent Williamson companies ever to visit New Zealand.

On the musical side, one of the highlights of the piece is the waltz duet, '"The Dance Goes On," while "I Breathe on Windows," and '•Side by Side,'.' with its hilarious intent, and

44 Over She Goes" Begins Next Week

its effective acrobatic ballet, run close for honours. The general chorus work is particularly fine, the ballet superb, and Andrew McCunn's snappy orchestra keeps everyone in step.

One of the features of "Over She Goes" is the lovely frocking. The ballet costumes arc colourful and original, while the modern frocks of the principals create a kaleidoscope of variety and charm.