“RISE AND SHINE”

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 225, 19 June 1936, Page 16

“RISE AND SHINE”

Drury Lane Success

'THERE is a tremendous vitality and punch about “Rise and Shine which makes me confident that it will keep Drury Lane happily filled for many months to come, states a London critic in reference to this bright show, the music of which is by the man who gave ns the tuneful melodies in "White Horse Inn.”

It has plenty of other recommendation, such as a brilliant and attractive company, imposing spectacle, an attractive sense of colour in dresses and decor, and occasional welcome flashes of Harrv Graham’s best wit. One word of warning, though. If you are thinking of taking one of your old aunts to this show, take the one who is slightly deaf rather than the one who suffers from headaches. For. though it is a nice show, it is very, very noisy. Credit for the speed and momentum of this entertainment must, of course, go very largely to the producer, Ralph Reader. But he is very lucky in his company. Such a collection of “live wires” can seldom have met on any one stage.

Jack Whiting and Binnie Hale are both notable for their “attack” when seen separately. Acting together, and combining brilliantly, they. are Quite overwhelming. Add Irene Browne, as a devastating duchess who manages everything on .sight; Clarice Hardwieke, who has a breadth of style which allows her to treat Drury Lane like an intimate theatre, and that ripe and experienced comedian Syd Walker, and vou have a company that can be trusted never to let you sit back and reflect how silly the whole affair really is.

I know it does not matter—but I just mention in the passing that story there is hone. A princess wants to marry a young officer. She is told that if she does her mother will never forgive her. So sre elopes with him, and her mother forgives her elaborately in the next scene. I grant that the romance is related a little less boldly than that—but there you have the gist of it.

What else? There is music by Robert Stolz, which is pleasant and tuneful, though entirely undistinguished. There are some ingenious effects of lighting and staging. There is a capable chorus and a more than capable ballet with Mary Honer at its head. There is a real autogiro which goes for what sounds like a real flight —and there is a choir of male voices quite capable of drowning the sound of its engine.