“OVER SHE GOES”

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22317, 3 February 1938, Page 5

“OVER SHE GOES”

♦ J. C. WILLIAMSON COMPANY AT THEATRE ROYAL Since the days of “Charley’s Aunt” the misfortunes that strew the paths of well-meaning but mistaken friends who try their hand at impersonation have been a favourite source of comedy. And in “Over She Goes,” the bright English musical comedy that is now being played at the Theatre Royal another packed audience last night saw, heard, laughed- at, and sympathised (when they could stop laughing) with an impersonator who lied his own affairs and those of his friends into such a knot that even Scotland Yard — a very musical Scotland Yard—could not untie. “Over She Goes” will conclude its season to-night. The English comedian, Mr George Gee, is aided and abetted most of the time by his ebullient assistant, Mr Percy Le Fre. Mr Donald Burr, the male romantic lead, making his first appearance in New Zealand, is the third member of the male trio, and although he seemed to have only two alternatives —to lose a title and a lot of money or to lose his girl—was never sufficiently cast down as to be unable to make love with considerable fervour, aiding his courtship with a very good • voice and much ability as a dancer. The thx-ee leading males have not things all their own way in the credit that goes to the principals. The three respective fiancees they have on the stage—Valerie Hay and Billie Worth (each making their first New Zealand appearance) and Lois Green, can all sing well, are given songs that suit them well, and can all dance rather better than most musical comedy stars Christchurch has seen for a long time. Enid Hollins, too, as a very mercenary former sweetheart of Lord Harry Drewsden, has an important and dramatic part. “Nice doings On” Starting to-piorrow night, the company will enter the last two days of its Christchurch season. “Nice Goings On.” the final presentation, will be staged to-morrow evening and on Saturday afternoon, and for the last time on Saturday night. “Nice Goings On” will prove an , example of musical comedy at its brightest, containing all the ingredients which go to make a successful production of this type. Mr George Gee is seen as an exceedingly amusing civil servant in an imaginary country, and the story concerns his efforts on behalf of the “Department of Public Welfare” to put a stop to the activities of a hotel known as the Pink Spider, and by so doing -improve his position as a civil servant The complications which arise from this silualion when he discovers that Hie hotel is a favourite resort of his superiors can well be imagined. All the popular principals of “Over She Goes” give excellent performances in this bright and breezy musical play, and- the production is marked by beautiful scenery, many solo dances, and delightful song numbers.