PRINCESS THEATRE

Evening Star, Issue 19004, 28 July 1925, Page 2

PRINCESS THEATRE

DAINTY MUSICAL COMEDY Dainty, well-dressed, sparkling nnisD cal comedy. That is what ‘ Sweethearts ’—Phil. Smith and Co.’s latest offering at the ' Princess Theatre—is. The company is rich enough in good and experienced artists to play such a. thing attractively', -and they do so. There are some regular patrons who may miss the slap-stick, and the sove-ral-sizes-to-largo clothing of the .comedians; and the red noses. As a matter of fact the only shop-worn goods, on view, so to speak, are Nat Hanley’s gloves; and these, of course, are necessary for the customary piano-playing interlude. There is a ‘ Pinafore ’ touch about ‘Sweethearts,’ though the story is different. There is a gay old admiral and a sprightly sou (also & naval officer); a couple of ladies, one of—ahem —uncertain age, tho other in the flapper stage; two Jack Tars, a neat “maid with the duster,” ami a comical man servant. And a pretty mix-up the naval father and son make of it at first; choosing the wrong partners and getting 1 at sixes and sevens with each other over an old agreement concerning,marriage. The elderly admiral, for instance, agrees to take the flapper lady for his conso/t, while the youthful lieutenant son is about to sign up with the middle-aged widow. But a reassortmont is brought about when prospective mother-in-law endeavors to smooth things for father byapproaching prospective son-in-law, while—well, the thing can be seen at a glance; can’t it? It’s, simple; yet the process is, on the Princess stage, wrought in music and fun and pretty' dances. Phil. Smith, as the admiral with one medal (and that gained for allowing a lady to drown), is fine. Ho bobs about in regulation uniform, and performs a genuine comedy part in genuine fashion, telling the girls the story of his life and so on—how be not only knew Lord Kitchener and Lord Roberts, but know Monia and Ralgia as well. His two songs, ‘ I’m Crazy Over Daisy ’ and ‘ Hurrah, for the Rolling Sea,’ were winners. ’William Greene was the immaculate lieutenant, and there wasn’t a lady in the audience who did not secretly envy the Molly of the piece when she won him in the raffle —or rather, shuffle. Mr Greene fitted the part liek a round peg in a circular aperture. His duet, ‘ Babbling Brook,’ with Phyllis Nicholson and under the delightful patronage of the smiling sex, was one of the prettiest things of the play. Nat Hanley shone in cross-talk interludes, and was very funny generally. "With Ida Merton he sang ‘ Como and he Matey, Katie,’ and with A 1 Mack. Jib <Lb Gibraltar.’ Both were good. A 1 MncK and Robert Raymond were the A.B.s. Wo will interpret this as ahy a .v s bright” and leave it at that. -I bey were. The ladies wore even more so. Peggie Peat’s age (in the play) could not wither her infinite sparkle and she sang and acted admirably. So, indeed, did Ida Merton and, Phyllis Nicholson, while Mildred O’Brien’s two dancing appearances were fraught with jo.v. Her ‘ Destiny ’ specialty with A 1 Made was Al. Tho Smiling Six were sweet in sparse pierotto rig; sweeter in sauoretto costume, but possibly sweetest in the old-fashioned crinoline. Hie dressing and staging of the whole thing was exceptionally good. The only new act in the first part was provided by the reappearance , of Walter Vernon, popular ventriloquy His “ Digger ” doll with the widen eve kept the house in merry mood, and said Dicker’s three vocal numbers (tenor, bass, and “ bo natural ”) were cleverly done. Apsden and Unstone presented a fresh bunch of vocal and musical numbers that mot with approval; Vince and Eva Courtney sang those sentimental and jazzy songs which are openly cheered by the, gallery and secretly enjoyed by the circle; and Ernest Pitcher warbled ditties of long ago and twanged the merry banjo. There was also ft movie gazette, depictin'-' interesting scenes and events. A good bill, taken all in all, and one that will bo repeated throughout the week. ..