“BLUE ROSES” SEASON

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 260, 29 July 1932, Page 2

“BLUE ROSES” SEASON

Musical Comedy Romance

A.wealth of exotic colour splashed over .ultra-modern stage .settings, evquisite and ever-changing lighting, effects, a stage -full of beautiful girls, the . best dancing, solo, concerted and ensemble, seen here for years, and riotous comedy by capable comedians combine to make.“ Blue Roses,” , now at the Grand Opera House, a very definite success. ■•■ r ; ■ This comedy, which was last year offering at tho London Gaiety, witnessed ■the return to the New .Zealand stage of Miss Madge Elliott and Mr. Cyril Ritchard; the two . dancing favourites, who ; have been on the other side of the world for five years, where both .succeeded in enforciug an endorsement of Antipodean opinion as to their talent and charm. Miss Madge Elliott might serve as the model for: Susan Winslow, as the role expresses itself more through the medium of the dance than in any other way, and in that department there is a spontaneous freshness and charm '■ about her work which is delightful. Heb .dances , are for the. most part pas lie deux with Mr. Ritchard, and so used are they to- one another’s .postures, paces and pirouettes that it is difficult to judge them, apart. While each movement is studied, the natural grace and elan of the pair is fascinating to witness. This ,whs the ; case 'in the. charming number “Letfs..be...Sentimental,” while. Miss Elflibtt'romps with 'Grecian’ abandon iti “Follow the Girl," and Mr. Ritchard scores laughter" t-ih his ’“Dancing tn 'Your Sleep” number. ! “Blue RoseisY in plot is an eXCusive story for some very picturesque. settings and the usual comic mix-up which ends happily after a lot of fun and musical comedy romance. A capital orchestra, : with a leavening of saxophones' to lend a “whoopee” colour to the soaring syneopation of much of the music, is. admirably controlled by Mr. ‘William Quintrell, . ■’-

. “Follow Through” Coming, f.", The first production in. New Zealand of..the new mus'iciU comedy “Follow Through,” will be staged by-the ’J. C. Williamson Ltd. musical comedy: company at the Grand Opera House on. Saturday, August 6. This musical play enjoyed successful seasons in- London and , New York, and Cyril Ritchard, Madge Elliott-and the other- members of the'“Blue Rdses” company achieved an outstanding success in it recently in Australia.-

. The sporting- atmosphere-fn “Follow Through”, .should prove ■ popular with New Zealand audiences, and an exciting feature is the golf match between Mollie Fisher (Madge Elliott) and Ruth Van Horn (Jean Duncan),. . (phe golfing features in. the play were Supervised in .Australia'by Ivo’Whitton, who was the open champion Of Australia two years ago. “Follow. Through is full of rich melodics, very humorous comedy and its story is intensely' interesting -throughout. Cyril Ritcha'rd has received ample'opportunities in/'Folldw ’Through”.to/exhibit, further his"’ talents ‘ W ~a .light comedian and a dancer, and it is- said, that' Madge Elliott has.scored one*of her best, successes in the musical comedy of golf. ■ Cecil KoTlaway, Leo Franklin, Frank Leighton. Arthur Cornell. Jean Duncan,’ Dulcie ; Davenport and the other prin-• cipals in “Blue Roses” all have congenial parts to enact, and the comedians, particularly, have special opportuintics to, create laughter. The work of 'the ballet is another feature of the production. ,