'THE GIRL FRIEND'

Evening Star, Issue 20033, 26 November 1928, Page 5

'THE GIRL FRIEND'

J. c. WILLIAMSON MUSICAL COMEDY ‘Tho Girl Friend,’ London's latest musical comedy success, in two acts and six scenes, opens at His Majesty’s Theatre next Saturday night, and introduces to dominion theatregoers the most popular musical actress that Australia has seen for years, Annie Croft, who s supported by a. company of new and old favourites. The newcomers are Reginald Sharland, leading man from principal London theatres; and Leo Franklyn, another London favourite, who plays hero the part that George Geo scored a big English hit in. Other popular people in tho company are Gns Bluett. May Beatty, Billy Lockwood, Les. Donagliy, Winnie Tate, Katie Towers, and, together with a fascinating chorus and Balet, make a combination that is sure of a hearty welcome. Of Annie Croft a Sydney critic writes: —“ London loved Annie Croft; so does Sydney already. She’s a personality girl who sings and dances her way into your heart with no apparent effort. She’s awfully good to look at, and she makes music whether she sings or talks.” ‘The Girl Friend’ is a musical comedy of the type that has been so popular during recent years, catchy refrains, boisterous comedy, skilful dancing, a vivacious and charminglydressed ballet and chorus. A big feature of the production is tho scenery, the first being a railway siding of the Canadian-Pacific Railway, then the garden of the Hotel Wendell, the interior of the dining car, and the lounge, blue bridal suite, Hotel Wendell. The company’s second production is a naval musical comedy with a tang of the sea, ‘Hit the Deck.’ It is something unusual in musical plays, for most of the action of the story is enacted on the deck of H.M.S. Inscrutable. Other scenes are in a seaport in China, and provide some wonderful and brilliant effects. Box plans open on Wednesday as advertised.