‘NO, NO, NANETTE!

Evening Star, Issue 21880, 17 November 1934, Page 8

‘NO, NO, NANETTE !

SEASON OPENED TO-DAY The season of tho musical comedy, ‘ No, No, Nanette,’ opened this afternoon with tile matinee at His Majesty’s Theatre, and the heavy bookings for the night performance assure the Dunedin Operatic and Dramatic Society of an auspicious opening day. For its entertainment value alone ‘ No, No, Nanette,’ promises to be tho most popular of the many productions of tho society, but the manner in which the piece is staged will'add to the wide appeal. A new standard in production has' been aimed at by the ’ society, which, fortunately, as a result of public support, has been in a position to spare no expense in dressing and mounting the comedy in the best style. Most of the wardrobe was specially imported from Sydney, the best local musicians were engaged to form the orchestra, and the producers _ (Messrs Stan Lawson and Angus Gorrie) . were given carte blanche to make ‘ No, No, Nanette,’ a spectacular and beautiful entertainment. In measure and in balance the traditional components of musical comedy are present in ‘ No, No, Nanette,’ which was described, when first produced seven years ago, as a masterpiece of its kind. That it was above the ordinary was shown by its successful and record-breaking runs in Australia, England, and the United States. Foremost is its musical charm. It is crammed with pretty melodic numbers for both chorus and soloists. Vincent Youmans used more melodies in the one piece than some of the betterknown composers now give in three musical comedies. For Tong many of the numbers have _ been universally popular, the gems being ‘ I Want to be, Sappy ’ (which is the theme of the play), ‘No, No, Nanette,’ ‘Tea For Two,’ ‘Too Many Rings Round Rosie,® ‘ The Call of tho Sea,’ ‘ You Can Dance With Any Girl,’ and ‘ Take a Little One Step.’ The music is supported by comedy, original dancing, and brilliant ensembles. The comedy is wholesome, with nob a line to cause a blush, and it is restrained. There is no place for the slap-stick comedian in ‘ No. No, Nanette,’ and Messrs T. R. Vanity and Clarence Paine and Misses Gwenda Burt and Erana Newhold comprise a merry, mirth-provoking team. In their concerted work they display a complete understanding, and from the many comedy elements they extract the maximum of laughter. While the humorous incidents are numerous, they are interspersed by ensembles, vimful and kaleidoscopic, in which the whole company of 100 appears at times, and delightful song, scenas, in which Misses Freda Elmes and Lottie de Clifford and Messrs Harold Mi Bain (the juvenile lead), Paine, and Vanity combine. Misses de Clifford and Elmes have soprano voices of rich quality, and" their personalities will grace the presentation. Misses Audrey Watson, Dbreon Dore, and Jean Liddicoat complete the list of principals as the girl from Boston, Washington, and ’Frisco who besiege Jimmie and his wealth. The Stau Lawson School of Dancing provides an array of talent, clever juveniles, and matured artists. The ballots will charm with their grace and originality. Mr Lawson has excelled himself in devising novelties, for from the first act there are dancing ensembles of distinction and cleverness. Tho toe and tap dancing will set the feet of all members of the audience moving in rhythm. Among the delights of tho ballets arc the, doll dance, which is whimsical, the fan scpna. in which the costuming is gorgeous, and the jjjask parade. This

melange of song, comedy, and dance is extremely well balanced. Into it is packecf three hours of entertainment. ‘ No, No, Nanette,’ will be presented again every night next week, and at*the matinees on Wednesday and Saturday next.