“RIO RITA”

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 64, 9 December 1940, Page 10

“RIO RITA”

Bright Musical Comedy

CLEVER PERFORMANCE The Wellington Musical Comedy Com pany's presentation of "Rio Rita,” Flor enz. Ziegfeld’s celebrated musical comedy, al the Grand Opera House on Sul.urd’ay nighl was a notable success. 1: was well produced, played by a talented local east, brightly dressed, and enhanced by some excellent bullets. Ihe singing was good, ami the show marked by that verve and enthusiasm on the part of tincompany without which I lie rapid tempo of a musical comedy canmil bit imiinlnined. The house was filled, and the audience was appreciative. The producer was Eva Moore, turmerlv of J. C. Williamson's, I lie musical director W. H. Stevens, mid the stage manager James Cooke. Molly .Look iij.--responsible lor the guy dressing. 1 lie cast was as follows: — Rio Rita K' l . ll J <vinp Dollv (cabaret dancer) .. Laurie Jone; Carmen J”yce Oliver Katie Bean .J 1 , 1 , 11 S', ''i’ Lolita •' I 1 ” I1 .V , Coijk Davolos’ Wife Maj’t Innes Jim Buy Lrewerii Ed Lovett (a lawyer) .. George Boyle Chick Bean (a bootlegger) . Cyril liby General Esteban Lou Kennedy Davalos (a bandit) Edgar Kain Roberto Ferguson (Rita’s brother) Gordon Hooper Gonsalez Morice Caehemailte Reporter W. Humphrey DavyCorporal Wilkins (of the Texas Rangers) George lliomsun Sergeant McGinn (of the Texas Rangers) Ghtt Dowling Padrone Gordon C. Jackson

Ballet: Olga Millar, Colleen Walling, I’airiem Liardet, Ngaire Blundell, Joyce Challis, Marjorie Griffith, Juanita Christian, Patricia Leydon, Valerie Alloway, Ngaire Harrison, Joyce Knighton, Ksna Connell, Winnie Male. Chorus (women): Kathleen Palmer, Peggy' Corsie, June Lankshear, Ethel Rainsford, Sylvia Morison, Sylvia Boyd, Alison Connell, Marjorie McCune, Mar: Innes, Yolaude Innes, Doreen Butters, -klexo Gerondis, Norina Quin, Ngaire Grei” Edna Luke, Phil Gormley, Jean Potton, Noln Potton, Elsa Purdey, Connie Christeson, Ruth Dyer, Betty Burridge, Thelma Wright, Audrey Bruce, Lorna Bannin, Marte -Muars, J' 1 ' 11 ?,'- Walsbe, Joyce Wickham, Molly McMiiU Cliorus (men) : David R. Wylie, Laurie Berry, Sig Miles, Lionel Bailley, Syd Pettinger, William Harvey, Stan Pearson, William Woollett. Ray Treweru's burly figure and fine singing voice made him a splendid hero, able to act as well as to sing, jmd fitting his part splendidly. Rita Kemp was equally successful as leading lady to a very capable performance site added charm of manner and grace of movement, and her pseudo-Spanish pronunciation was wholly delightful. Her voice was well contrasted with Ray Trewcrn s, and in the theme soug “Rio Rita, ’ the two gave a rendering of the well-known song which drew keen applause from the audience. The outstanding performance, however, wad that of the very vivacious comedienne Laurie Jones, as Dolly. Her brilliant dancing and lively personality was ideally suited to this type of production, and she was magnificently supported by George Beyle and Cyril Tilly, both of whom, proved clever actors. Their respective entrances —George Boyle astride a placid donkey, and the other two honeymooning in a miniature car —set. the note of their perfornianees. They shared some of the best musical numbers of the evening, and the drunken scene in which the two men participated was a highlight of the evening-. . As a sinister and sleek Mexican general, Ron Kennedy stalked about the stage in tine style, and his characterization was splendidly contrasted with Ray Trewern's, as his rival in love. Joyce Oliver, Molly Cook, and Mari Innes made three attractive Spanish women, the lastnamed far too attractive to -be the wife of the villainous Davalos, amusingly portrayed by Edgar Kain. Ina Gyles, as a glamorous blonde, .strengthened the comedy team in the later scenes. Gordon C. Jackson, as a Continental innkeeper, was good. Of a number of really attractive ballets, the -‘Shawl Dance,” "Moonlight Ballet,” and “Black and White Ballet,” were outstanding; and with Laurie Jones in “Kinkajou” and with Cyril Tilley in “Out on the Loose,” the ballet gave some, lively dancing. Molly Cook's “Goyescos," and Colleen Walling's "Hat Dance,” were other memorable numbers. The season will continue till Thursday.