J. C. WILLIAMSON SEASON

Evening Star, Issue 22194, 23 November 1935, Page 22

J. C. WILLIAMSON SEASON

FLAMS OPEN FOR ‘ROBERTA’ There was an excellent demand for seats -when the plans wore opened yesterday morning at the D.I.C. tor the production of the spectacular musical comedy, ‘ Roberta,’ which will be presented for the first time in Dunedin at His Majesty's Theatre on Tuesday night by the J. C. Williamson Ltd. Musical Comedy Company, which is headed by the two outstanding stars, Miss Madge Elliott and Mr Cyril Ritchard. When these two artists last visited Now Zealand in ‘ Blue Roses ’ Dunedin was not included in the tour, due to the fact that His Majesty’s Theatre was not available for the .dates required; it is, therefore, 1 many years since local playgoers last enjoyed their artistry and their brilliant dancing, and as next Tuesday will also mark their reappearance since their recent marriage, the opening performance of ‘ Roberta ’ is likely to witness the theatre taxed to its utmost capacity, and the newlywedded couple will receive a wonderful reception. The advertisements call Tuesday night’s production a .gala opening performance, and it is likely to prove a memorable occasion in the theatrical history of this city. Although there are nine scenes in ‘ Roberta,’ there is, it is stated, a positive minimum of waits between each of them. There is only one short interval, and expeditious scene changing allows hardly any gaps in the action. The result is that the production is speeded up, interest is never allowed to flag, and the whole show moves along rapidly and smoothly as a connected whole. Gay, amusing, and fast-moving, ‘ Roberta ’ is full of punch, with something entertaining happening every minute. The interesting and romantic plot gives the producer an admirable chance to please the feminine section of the audience by showing them clothes and yet more clothes in most attractive settings. One of the scenes is a fashion exhibition at Roberta’s, the manikins displaying most gorgeous gowns to appropriate music, against a background of rich rust velvet hangings. “It is difficult,” wrote a Melbourne critic, “ to know whether to throw more bouquets at Cyril Ritchard in his role of producer of ‘ Roberta ’ than in that of the leading man, for the production is as firstrate as Cyril Ritchard’s acting and dancing. He and Madge Elliott have two very delightful dances. But this is not primarily a dancing show, though what there is is outstandingly good.

Particularly brilliant is ‘ Shadows of Silver,’ with its girls in gowns of glass and wonderful lighting effects.” .Roberta ’ scores in its music, which is bright and tuneful, with several outstandingly catchv numbers—' You’re Devastating,’ ‘ I’ll Be Hard To Handle,’ ‘ The Touch of Your Hand,’ and ‘ Smoke Gets In Your Dyes.’ The company, which numbers over 100 people, is said to include sonic of the best and most popular musical comedy artists who have ever toured under the direction of J. C. Williamson, among them being Ethel Morrison. Diane Du Cano (a leading London musical comedy artist), Leo Franklin, Frank Leighton, Marie Le Varrc. Field , Fisher. Charles Zoli, Vera Wallace, Jerry Connolly, Miss Leslie Crane (the brilliant young Auckland actress), Mary Rigby, Jean Slapoffski and a bevy of beautiful manikins and chorus girls. Only a limited number of performances can he staged of ‘ Roberta.’ and it will be followed by ‘ Our Miss Gibbs ’ and ‘ High Jinks.’. Positively only live evening performances can be staged of ‘ Roberta,’ and an afternoon representation will he given on next Saturday afternoon . On Monday evening (December 2) and on Wednesday afternoon (December 4) ‘ Onr Miss Gibbs ’ will he staged, and on Tuesday and Wednesday nights (December 3 and 4) ‘ High Jinks ’ will be produced. The box plans up to and including next Saturday night are now open, and those for the balance of the season will bo opened on Monday. Flection results will be given from the stage on Wednesday night.