“THE GIRL BEHIND THE COUNTER”

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 59, 3 December 1926, Page 3

“THE GIRL BEHIND THE COUNTER”

AN EXCELLENT EFFORT David Devitt, one of the Dominion’s foremost dancers, who is also well known as a solid bulwark in Wellington’s theatrical world, scored a distinct artistic triumph at tho Grand Opera House last evening, when, in conjunction with- J. C. Williamson, Ltd. (to which firm he originally belonged), he produced for the first time in New Zealand a two-act musical comedy entitled "The Girl Behind the Counter,” which was all the rage on the. London stage a year or so ago. The piece, is from the pen of Howard Talbot (music) and Leediiam Bantock (book and lno main feature of the production was too splendid dancing of the artists, most ot whom were up,, to high-class professional standard. All tqld, there were about 60 local amateurs ,in the cast, and, with the exception of a slight first-night slip hero and there, thev acquitted themselves admirably. As Ninette, the French girl. Miss .Kathryn Mune gave undoubtedly the -best performance of the evening. Her acting w;as very natural, she spoke her lines clearly and with great expression, and gave smiie ’pry tine dancing indeed. Miss Mollio Plimmer also came in for great applause for the wav she portrayed the part of buslOj the cashier. “The Hampstead Road (Mollie Plimmer and Joseph Hunt) was well rendered, as was their ‘Oh Me, Oh My” a very catchv tune. Roliert Charlton was excellent in the part of General Willouglibv and his song, "Rambler Rose,” proved him to have a very Uno voice. He also danced well. ! Miss Alice Harris, whose voice is very sweet and above the average, became a warm favourite with her first song. Her duet "Won’t You Buy” with Norman Bvrno as a partner also won applause. "The Land Where the Best Man Wins, was well suited to Mr. Byrne B voice and won loud applause. His acting as Charlie Chetwynd, the hero, however, did not show him in so, good a light as he seemed to bo a trifle stiff in Ins part. Jack Cannon put some good comedy into his Viscount Gushington, and was very good, despite that he overdid his foppishness a. little. Jospeh Hunt ns Adophus Dodd did some fine dancing and showed himself capable of being a real comedian, able to raise big laughs all the while. Harold Abbot as M. Duval, tho Frenchman, was good, although it was easy to see he was not born in Franco by the wav he spoke. Florence Heyworth and Phillip Low delighted nil by the way they danced ns tho doll and buttons, receiving several encores which were well deserved. The second act was full of novelty donees, which were all big hits. Muriel Wilton (Slavonic), Joan Carter (Oriental, who was more like a professional pt i long standing than an amateur), Iris and Philip Low, all contributing good and clever numbers; J.ilhan Mabel Robertson, Leslie Anderson, Walter Norwood, and others all did good work, nnd helped to make the show ono of the best amateur entertainments given m Wellington for many a day. Apart from the dancing, which could hardly be net, tercd, the comedy and dialogue were excellent, There were some very pretty frocks, and the scenery nnd lirliLwe effects were decidedly good. The cabaret ' scene' in the second act was splendid, all the dancers doing hard and intricate steps of grace and ease. Great praise is due to Mr. He'-itt who supervised the entire production (m--clmling specialty dances ba V®t s ’? ro ,'E inzs etc.). Praise is also due to Mr. Len Barnes,, the musical director. work wa= 'a feature of >the entertarament. Thq orchestra °^ e verv clever musicians. The Giri r»e_ hind the Counter.’’'which is bSing run in nrder to raise funds for bL Marr h Home. Karori. will be and to-morrow night, when the tma performance will be given.