MUSICAL AND MERRY

Evening Star, Issue 22032, 18 May 1935, Page 25

MUSICAL AND MERRY

1 THE GIRL IN THE TAXI 1 In the past the Dunedin Operatic and Dramatic Society has always roqxfe a happy choice for its presentation during Winter Show .. Week—-un-doubtedly the week when the public, of Otago and of Dunedin expects the brightest of entertainment-and this year it has chosen ‘ The Girl in the Taxi,’ which should prove as popular as its predecessors. Perhaps ‘ The Girl in the Taxi ’ is not so well known as many other musical comedies, but the fact remains that the piece was well received in Paris at its first staging, was an instatttaheous success when presented at the Lyric Theatre, London, in 1915, and packed His Majesty’s Theatre, Dunedin, when it received its initial presentation in 1915. One can readily recall the demands of the public for a longer season when the bright comedy was staged for only one night 15 years ago, with Cyril Richards and Madge .Elliot, still two of the most popular light comedy stars in Australia, heading the J. C. Williamson Company, which presented ‘ High Jinks ’ in Dunedin. First presented in /Paris, ‘ The Girl in the Taxi ’ caught the fancy of Parisians, and its gaiety made it the musical comedy sensation of the year. The play has all that quality of French brightness, and is fresh and wholesome, with not a phrase to offend the most susceptible. Georg Okonkowsky had a natural flair for comedy, and to it he gave many surprising and ingenious twists, while Jean Gilbert was a composer who catered for the demands for brightness in the war period. The charming number, ‘ Waltzing,’ the rousing and musical 4 Where is the Lady ?’ and the lovely ‘Suzanne, Suzanne, We Love You To a Man,’ are numbers that cannot possibly be forgotten. The play, which is of three acts, moves at a fast speed through episodes of romance, intrigue, and forgiveness, and the authors have happily succeeded, where others have failed, in sustaining interest in their characters after their purpose in the piece has been disclosed.. The Operatic Society’s committee has again made a very wise selection of cast for this important production, which is fully expected to surpass therecords set by ‘ Sally.’ Every player is favourably known for past performances, and the committee has spared nothing to ensure a thoroughly competent production. In the leading roles are such vocalists as Misses Lettie de Clifford, Gwenda Burt, end Daphne Murdoch, and Messrs Arthur Lungley and James M'Farlane. with exacting character parts taken by Stan Lawson, Reynolds Herbert (who made such a

favourable impression in ‘ Les Cloches , De Corneville ’), and Nelj Wootton. Mr Lawson is producing the show, and his dancing school has been called upon to stage tl# delightful ballets which make ‘ The Gifl in the Taxi ’ so diversified. Mr Angus Gorrie, who is being assisted by Mr Jack Figgins, is the stage manager, and Mr James Clark is again the musical director. His successes in the pagt ih developing the chorus work augur well for this production. 4 The Girl in the Taxi ’ will be commenced on June 1, and will be presented for the following week. The box plan arrangements are advertised.