“NICE GOINGS ON”

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22319, 5 February 1938, Page 9

“NICE GOINGS ON”

♦ BRILLIANT MUSICAL COMEDY FINAL PERFORMANCE THIS EVENING Bright and gay is the fare provided in “Nice Goings On.” the second production of the J. C. Williamson Musical Comedy Company, which was played last evening for the first time at the Theatre Royal. It is English musical comedy at its best, with never a dull moment, never a break in the madcap situations, and never a peaceful moment for the easy-going officials of the Department of Public Welfare in a country “somewhere near Scandinavia.” For all this, George Gee (almost an official) must take the greatest blame, though Lois Green and Phil Smith arc little less culpable. If there is a fault to be found with the play, it is that there is not sufficient scope -for most of the other talented comedians in the cast. Donald Burr has not many moments on the stage when he does not have to play second fiddle to Mr Gee, though he. Ken Tuckerficld, and William D’Neal, three more officials, are all caught up in the merry tangle of risque interludes at. the notorious seaside resort ol the Pink Spider. The best of the feminine roles falls to Lois Green, and she makes the beat of everything that there is in her part. She is the ideal soubrette for such a company, for there is an unquenchable bright devilry about her acting that keeps her going at lop throughout the play. Her dancing is light and efficient, her singing boisterously happy and everything she does seems to make this bright play even brighter. Less easy to play, and thus possibly a greater achievement, is the part taken by Valerie Hay. For, while the stage is commandeered by the frivolous antics of Mr Gee and his fellow officials, the audience has possibly less sympathy lor a straighter role. Not that there are no humourous lines for Miss Hay—far from it —and she adds greatly to the enjoyment of the piece by such foolery as she is allowed by the lines, or can make for herself on the side. That she does take the attention of the audience from the farcical by her singing, dancing, and her general performance is tribute enough to her powers. However, the whole success of the comedy, and successful it certainly is. lies in the consummate performance given by Mr Gee. In gesture, in song, and in his many troubles he is the life blood of the party. Mr Gee is the one official in this flourishing northern country to whom promotion never comes. Poor Olaf Henscuttle is always at his desk on or before time, and all the dirty jobs are passed on to him. A social reformer in the person of Adela Tettle (Florence Whitwam) pesters him about the shocking state of affairs at the Pink Spider at Snackcnsec, and the nuisance. Mr Rumpolmayer (Tommy Jay) is also permanently at his heels. Were these his only troubles, Olaf's life might be endured without prolonged complaint, but his matrimonial position is also not one to be envied. He is not married but there are several women who intend to rectify this fault When he decides to make his presence felt in the department by writing a full and detailed report about the shocking behaviour of those who frequent the Pink Spicier, promotion at fast comes in an avalanche, for tb a worst offenders are the higher officials in the department. ■ More disappointing than the part given to Donald Burr is that which falls to Billie Worth. Here is a comedy artist of the highest quality who does not come on until the second act. and then has a small solo part with the ballet, followed by a tap soeciality in the second scene. A snatch of song, and two dances, left the audience wanting to see considerably more qf her. Percy Le Fre also has a very minor part, that of Lehmann, who appears to be invariably the worse for liquor and just as constantly rebuffed in hif manv attempts to attract the girls For a short time he is on the stage alone doing an eccentric dance, and that is all that is seen of him until near the end, when he also has to use bribery to keep his exalted name out of the compromising report. „ As in its predecessor, Nice Goings On” is outstanding for the excellent dressing and scenery throughout the play. The ballet has many quick changes into bright costumes, from bright bathing costumes to graceful dresses reaching to the ground. In a musical comedy such as this the work of the ballet and chorus is 100 frequently overlooked. Their clover dancing and bright singing wem not the least features of the plav Taking it all in all. “Nice Goings On is thoroughly good entertainment, and one can only feel sorry that its season will be brought to a close with the matinee and final performance tms evening.