‘THE DESERT SONG'

Evening Star, Issue 20313, 23 October 1929, Page 7

‘THE DESERT SONG '

- ■■■ - "’■■■ ■■■ * The Desert Song,’ successor to ‘Rose Marie,’ -which captivated all hearts some time ago, will bo staged at His, Majesty's Theatre on Saturday night next for a season of seven nights and two matinees. ‘ The Desert Song is described as a. musical, play of spectacular magnificence and singular charm and beauty, which borders at times on grand opera. The play, 100, is rich in dramatic interest. The scenes are set in Morocco and peopled with members of the Foreign Legion, Arabs, and so forth. The male ensemble and chorus hold the Australian houses spellbound, according to newspaper reports. Pierre Mcrebeau, a young French officer, who has been knocked out of the army by a blow on the head from his colonel, revenged himself by living a double life as a half-wit in the house of his father, who is Governor of- the province, and as “The Red Shadow,” theintrepid leader of the Riff tribe. Margot, the girl he loves, who is half-engaged to a French officer, but wholly desirous of finding a caveman, is captured by the Riffs, when she promptly falls in love with “The Red Shadow,” but not with life in the desert. Hereafter all is romance and mystery, set, of course, to entrancing music. Lance Fairfax, who looks every inch a hero, is said to handle his dual personality with rare skill. He sings in a glorious baritone which

blends with every mood. Margot Bonvalet. beautiful, enamoured _of the desert, desirable! Clementina, languordils, Spanish, and spiced with the devil! Susan, sprightly, English, eccentric! , Benjamin Kidd, talkative, informative! Resplendent officers, wives even more resplendent, beautiful slave girls, and Spanish loveliness in abundance! A Moorish courtyard dripping with flowers, a hai-em, a real horse on the stage! Such are some of the features of ‘The Desert Song.’ An enchanting love story holds the play together, and tho song numbers are haunting and atmospheric. The ballets and choruses are superb. ■ Afinnie Everett is responsible for the dances, ballets, and ensembles.