‘THE DESERT SONG’

Evening Star, Issue 20316, 26 October 1929, Page 14

‘THE DESERT SONG ’

A DRURY LASE SUCCESS J. C, Williamson, Ltd., in presenting ‘The Desert Song’ at Hi* Majesty’s Theatre to-night for i season of sevpn ...gilts and two matinees, are ensuring that the public of Dunedin will be given the opportunity of seeing one of the finest musical plays, with one of the most notable casts, seen in a, production of a like nature. The music, songs, ballets, male choruses, and general spectacularity of production caused Australian critics (‘The Desert Song’ ran for long seasons in all the important Australian towns 1 to regard it as a greater performance than ‘Rose Marie,’ ‘Th® Vagabond .King,’ or ‘The Student Prince.’ It would he . impossible to conceive of anyone more fitting than Lance Fairfax for the principal role, that of “ Red Shadow, head of a daring band of Riffs of Morocco, who give many anx’ous moments to the French forces. Lance Fairfax is a native of Wellington. To that extent he has made New Zealand known throughout the world, for he ranks among the best as an aotor-singer.

“The Red Shad- w ” is seen us a most picturesque figure on a white Arab charger, dressed in the flowing robes of a chieftain. Opposite him is' Romola Hansen, and she has a sweet and powerful voice. ‘ The Desert Song,’ too, has come in for high praise for the chorus singing, while the dancing hears the inimitable, stamp of Minnie Everett’s planning and teaching. The comedy parts are in the hands of Herbert Mundin and Renee Murphy. There are numerous solo dances. The scenes are verv elaborate, and hear resemblance to the localities in which the sets are said to take place. The orchestra is a feature of this production, as it is recognised that without a first-class orchestra and an expert conductor all the other trouble gone to to collect a well-balanced chorus apd a highly-talented cast, vocally and hiswould be time wasted and a disappointment to the public. The box plans are at the Rialto to-day.