‘NO, NO, NANETTE!

Evening Star, Issue 21879, 16 November 1934, Page 16

‘NO, NO, NANETTE !

SEASON OPENS TO-MORROW In ‘ No, No, Nanette,’ the Operatio and Dramatic Society has chosen a musical comedy of proved merit and infinite scope for the diversified, talents of its members. When Otto Harbach, Frank Mandel, Irving Caesar, and Vincent Youmans combined in the writing and setting to music of ‘No, No, Nanette,’ they produced a piece which , immediately became a sensatfpn on two continents. For two seasons it ran in New York and London. Its popularity, was due to its qualities—witty dialogue,' cyclonic comedy, haunting melodies, and its dances. While the pictorial’delights of the musical comedy may Have been fleeting, the charm of its musio was ineffaceable, till to _ this day 'the numbers are still refreshing. _ , Although light, Youmans’s music has a gracious Hit and rhythmical figuration that places it above the frothy melodies of most pieces, and its presentation again on the stage at _ His Majesty’s Theatre is expected to give pleasure to the older theatre-goers, and will fascinate the newcomers. It cannot be dew nied that ‘ No, No, Nanette ’ possesses more definitely established popular numbers than any other production since the war. The musio is unusually, bright and tuneful, and among the real gems ate ‘Too Many Rings Round Rosie',’ ‘ I’ve Confessed to the Breeze,' 1 ‘ I Want to be Happy,’ ‘ No. No, Nanette,’ ‘ Tea for Two,’ ‘ You Can Dance With Any Girl,’ and ‘ Take a Little One-step.’ The cast which has been selected is particularly strong in voices,with Miss Freda Elmes, a soprano, and Miss Lettie De Clifford, whoso stage performances have endeared her to the Dunedin audiences, sharing the vocal honours. These young ladies are both graceful on the stage, and their sense of comedy will add to the attractiveness and sparkle of the piece. Miss Gwenda Burt has never had a better role than Sue, the too-thrifty wife. She invests the part with just the required balance of humour and extracts the most from the many telling lines which are her lot. The comedy of ‘No, No, Nanette ’ is not boisterous; in fact, in presentation and phrasing alike it is refined. That clover elocutionist, Erana Newbold, sets off Sue’s seriohsness in the numerous and jolly clash of arms, and in her work with Miss De Clifford, Messrs T. R.: Vanity and Clarence Paine her personality is prominent. Messrs Vanity and Paine have many whimsical comedy, scenes and they work with ideal understanding. Mr Harold M. Bain Has particular aptitude for the juvenile lead. Tommy, and his voice blends pleasantly, in the pretty song numbers with Nane*’llie dancing and ensembles will surely, amaze the public. Ensembles with more music and rhythm have not been seen in any of the society’s productions. The opening ensemble, ‘ Too Many Rings Round Rosie,’ can be depended upon to set audiences in a happy, expectant mood, which will be satisfied as, smoothly and swiftly, the plot is unfolded m an ever-changing panorama! of colour and action, through the hilarious elements, the charming choruses.and the indescribably beautiful and novel ballets. Among the dances the most captivating will be the fan ballet , (Vida M'Kenzie, Olga Miller, Norma, Gore Gladys Keating, Dorothy Judd, and Shirley M'Clatchy), the most onginal doll dance (with Rowena Jackson, » clever acrobat, leading) , and the snappiest tap troupe (led by Crawford M'Queen and Tom Burt). The season opens at the matmee tomorrow, and the piece will presented every night for a week and at the matinees on Wednesday _ and Saturday, week The musical director is _Mr James Clark, and Mr Angus Gome a stage manager.