'SOLDIERS OF THE KING'

Evening Star, Issue 21624, 20 January 1934, Page 9

'SOLDIERS OF THE KING '

ROLLICKING COMEDY AT GRAND Cicely i Courtneidge, one of ,‘ the ; brightest and most popular comedi- '■ ennes on the', British stage,, scores the .most decisive success of her film career in ‘ Soldiers of the King,’ a rollicking comedy that' opened its local 'season at the Grand yesterday. The ' breezy Cicely dominates this production completely, her. unerring sense of comedy giving it a refreshing and distinctive appeal from start to finish. Last night’s audience enjoyed the fun immensely, and there is every indication that the picture is to enjoy a highly successful week at the Grand. Laughter is the keynote of every film in which Cicely Courtneidge plays, and ■‘ Soldiers of the King ’ is no exception to the rule. The title is rather deceptive, for it is not by any means a war or army picture. From beginning to end it is a burlesque on the lives of a jolly troupe of music hall artists, and the title is derived from the fact that the song ‘ Soldiers of the King 1 is one of their chief numbers. Cicely Courtneidge plays the most versatile role of her career in this picture, and is cast as Maisio. Marvello and Jenny Marvello, daughter and mother respectively. The -name Marvello is taken by allmembers of the troupe, who appear in .the show as one great family. Telling a story of the stage, before and behind the glitter of the footlights, ‘ Soldiers of the King ’ is a bright and entertaining production. With a musical background in the patriotic song of the Edwardian era, the theme only slightly touches on military life, when two dashing officers figure in the romantic narrative that runs lightly hut pleasantly through the picture. The Marvello troupe of entertainers is a varied and talented aggregation of theatricals and Cicely Courtneidge, its leader, scores an impressive triumph in a double role, taking the parts of the aged and enfeebled founder of the troupe and its new, vigorous, and vivacious leader. Her parts are so essentially, different to each 'other, but 'are so wonderfully portrayed that it is quite impossible to detect in the tottering old woman, who relinquishes her charge of the company, the same personality as her successor, who infuses in the touring theatricals a vim and 'artistry astounding in their versatility. ; There are mirth, music, and pathos running throughout the piece, with at times violent burlesque that has the audience in rollicking laughter. The outstanding scene is where Cicely takes the part of her young protege, Judy, who has missed the show owing to an ■accident while holidaying with a forbidden fiance, and she has to take the part of an adagio dancer. She is thrown from one member of the troupe to an-

other right across the stage, “ landing ” in all sorts of ways and with expressions that provoke the heartiest laughter. The production is lavishly staged and excellently acted, the musical setting being exceptionally pleasing. Cicely Courtneidge’s flair for comedy has never been better exemplified than in this extremely diverting entertainment. She is supported by an excellent cast headed by Edward Everett. Horton, the well-known American comedian, who has joined forces with the British production units, and a number of celebrated personalities from the stage and screen. The programme of short subjects forms an attractive prelude to the main feature. There is a highly interesting Cinemagazine, a riotous cartoon, a very charming representation of the beauty of St. Moritz and other Swiss winter resorts, and the very necessary gazette.