COLOUR AND LAUGHTER

Evening Post, Volume 65, Issue 65, 17 March 1924, Page 2

COLOUR AND LAUGHTER

"SALLY" AT THE OPERA HOUSE

Success iii Australia does not always guarantee success in New Zealand. The public taste in entertainment varies; but the record run of "Sally'1 in Sydney and Melbourne warranted anticipation of good business on this side. Saturday night's opening at the Grand Opera House was the first instalment of this success. . The house was crowded in every part,.,and all present appeared to enjoy the- performance thoroughly. It is not sjways easy to ascribe reasons for the success or failure of an entertainment. Theatrical managers know this, and are puzzled sometimes to find that one play fails, while another succeeds. The success of "Sally" is not, however, difficult to account for. The producers have not discovered any new and wonderful recipe for success- only the old one ! of giving the public what they want just, a little better than they have been accustomed to. "Sally," then, is musical comedy, with all the usual features of this class of entertainment, but with all 'the features nicely balanced so that one may not say that the eye is pleased and the ear offended. And everything is a little better than in the average musical comedy. The difference may not be much, a bright scene, a lingering refrain, but it is the difference which distinguishes the good from the mediocre The string o f story upon which 'the bright beads of colour, music, and comedy are threaded is, as in all musical comedy, just strong enough to bear their weight without being 100 much in evidence. Sally Green is a New, York foundling engaged to wash dishes at tho Alley Inn. She has ambitions, and is persuaded to impersonate Mme. Nookeroya, a Russian dancer, who has been responsible for scandal in high circles in Czechgovinia. At a society reception she meets the Duke of Cz'echogovinia. who is none othev than her friend the waiter at the Alley Inn. The Duke is quite willing to keep her secret,- but Sally herself reveals the impersonation when she finds that Blair Farquar, millionaire's son and author, is in love with Sally the dishwasher, but hot with Nookerova, the fencnantress. Still Sally has her opportunity, becomes premiere danseuse of the Follies, and everything ends happily at "the Little Church around the come" " Sally is the pivot of the play. One can understand why the producers gave so much attention "to discovering the .right girl for the part.. Miss Josie I Melville has proved an ekcellent_choice. She has piquancy and natural "charm, freshness and enthusiasm. These qualities enable her to invest her presentation of the little foundling with much reality. The 'change from dish-washer to Follies star is perfectly easy and natural. Miss Melville's voice 'is not powerful; but it is pure in tone and particularly sweet.. Moreover, her enunciation is clear, so that, with a subdued accompaniment, she is heard distinctly in all parts of the house. She has some of the prettiest songs in the piece including "You Can't Keep a Good Girl Down," and "'Look for the Silver Lining" (as a duet with Mr. Herbert Browne). This song has all the catchy qualities, and will probably be whistled with increasing popularity.'from now on. Miss Melville silso has some dancing to do, and Hoes it very well; but in this, as in thfi whole of her performance, it is her winsome personality that earns the applause. She has a handsome arid capable partner in Mr. Herbert Browne, who is cast for the part of Blair Farquar. His singing in the "Silver Lining" song, in "Whip-poor-Will" (another, duet with Miss Melville), and in "Sally," is distinctly pleasing. On the comedy side there are two outstanding performers, Mr. Dan Agar (the Duke of Czechgovinia) and Mr., George Gee (Otis Hooper, the theatrical agent who discovers Sally). Mr. Dan Agar finds ample scope for fooling as the "Duke who is waiting (in a third-class restaurant) till another revolution restores him to the throne. His.comedy with a gay old dog who \vants a quiet corner for "a tete-a-tete (Mr. Hugh Steyne) fairly brings the house down. His Slav dance, endTmr in burlesque, is another good item. "Mr. George Gee specialises in grotesque dancing ..and posing, innumerable gags and a flow of conversation which nothing can check. His best effort is in a trio "The Lorelei" (brought up-to-date) with Miss Thelmct Burness and Mr Jack Dunne. "The Little Church around the Corner" (with Miss Burness) is another good number. Miss Pixie Herbert is graceful and handsome as Mrs. Ten Brock, a New York settlement worker.' Mr. Charles. Howard has a broad comedy part as Shendorff. proprietor of the Alley Inn, and Mr. Reginald Roberts is Richard Farquar. the, wealthy New Yorker. Mr. Sydney Clarke as Sascha, violinist at the Inn, plays and dances to his" own playimt. Miss Thelma Burness and Mr. "jack Dunne lead in some of the popular songs. No expense has been spared' in the1 costuming and scenery of (.lie play. Particularly notable is the butterfly' ballet, representing a scene at the 'Ziegneld Follies. "Sally" will be repeated to-night and following nights, and is sure of big houses, each night. Moreover, it deserves them.