SPARKLING PERFORMANCE

Evening Star, Issue 22202, 3 December 1935, Page 7

SPARKLING PERFORMANCE

REVIVAL OF ‘ OUR MISS GIBBS ' SUCCESS OF MUSICAL COMEDY COMPANY ‘ Our Miss Gibbs,’ the tuneful musical comedy that lias intrigued a generation of theatregoers, lost none of its charm as presented last night by tho J. C. Williamson Company headed by Miss Madge Elliott and Mr Cyril Ritchard. Its melodies are of abiding freshness, and in the revival at His Majesty’s Theatre its features were developed with all the zest and vivacity that have made this delightful musical comedy so popular in the past. Its production was, in fact, a real triumph of stagecraft, and in its modern setting and frocking it is doubtful if it Has ever been played more attractively. The occasion seemed to inspire all the members of the campany, and a cheerful and spirited performance was given, at once reviving fond memories. The players had already established themselves as favourites in firm favour in ‘ Roberta,’ hut in 1 Our Miss Gibbs ’ they excelled themselves. From the outset the audience fell under the spell of the infectious melody and charming stage pictures, and, as the show progressed, tho enthusiasm became more intense, culminating in a demonstrative ovation at the final curtain. It was a highly meritorious performance, and received the reception which it undoubtedly deserved. There was all the freshness one finds in something completely new, with the added charm of the old. Such popular songs and choruses as * Mary,’ ‘My Yorkshire Lassie,’ ‘ Not That Sort of Peril 011 -’ * 4 rms and tho Man,’ and ‘ Yip-1-addy-I-Ay ’ have captivated many ears, and it was made clear last night that they null do so for many years longer. _ Encores were frequent, and were .given with a cheerfulness and epontaneity that won the heart of the audience.

Miss Elliott’s engaging personality enabled her to carry through with distinction and charm the role of Miss Mary Gibbs, the pretty Yorkshire lass whose fortunes as a shop girl in Lon--orj’ with her disappointment in love and her subsequent triumph, form ibe basis of the story, depicted in comedy, dance, and song. Mr Hitchard again scored Heavily, and was perhaps seen at his best in the ‘ Yip-I-Addy-I-Ay ’ song and chorus, into which he introduced some bright and clover topical hits. Miss Elliott and Mr Ritchard, as ever, captivated the crowd in their dance numbers, performed with a perfection of grace and finish. Both were superb in their dancing. A role of importance in ‘ Our Miss Gibbs ’ is that of Timothy Gibbs, Mary’s Yorkshire cousin, undertaken by Mr~Freddie Foss, who was ideally suited to the part, and who showed a relish in his antics and chatter that evoked the audience to high merriment. It was a fine performance in clean, rollicking comedy of the kind that makes an appeal to all, and in it lie was well assisted by the versa* tile Mr Leo Franklyn, who, as a " hardboiled ” crook, was happily cast. Mention should be made of the song ‘ Our Farm,’ by Miss Elliott and Mr Foss, an item that won unstinted applause. Miss Marie Le Yarre, Miss Diane Du Cane, Miss Ethel Morrison, Mr Frank Leighton, and Mr Field Fisher were in the other leading roles, all played with excellent interpretation. All the members of the cast, however, acquitted themselves admirably, contributing largely to the success of tile evening. The chorus danced and sang with particular gaiety throughout to add further zest to a performance that was notable for its sparkle and brightness from curtain to curtain. The delightful frocking was again a feature of the production, and the settings were most effective, tinder the capable guiding hand of Mr Leo Packer the orchestra did its work well, having a great deal to do with the gusto with which the thirty-odd members of the cast cooperated to get the spirit of the play across the footlights. * Our Miss Gibbs ’ is to be staged again at a matinee on Wednesday. Tonight and to-morrow night the compaiy will present ‘ High Jinks.’ ' HIGH JINKS’ TO-NIGHt. To-night the J. C. Williamson Company, headed by Madge Elliott and Cyril Ritchard, will bo seen at His Majesty’s Theatre in the famous musical comedy, ‘ High Jinks,’ which the management expects to be as popular as either of the other two attractions presented during the season. Adapted for the English stage by Frederick Londsdale, ‘High Jinks’ carries the audience merrily, along from curtainrise to curtain-fall. There are many delightful musical numbers and dances in the three acts, the work of the ballet being a feature. Friml’s musical score is full of catchy melodies, while the setting of the piece, the French watering place, ‘ Beauville,” lends itself to some highly effective scenes. Mr Ritchard, who is said to' have .excelled himself as' the producer of ‘ High Jinks,’ will appear in the role of Dick Wayne (an explorer), and Madge Elliott has one of her most attractive parts as Sylvia Dale. Leo Franklyn will make merry as Colonel Slaughter, “ a patient patient,” and Field Fisher will appear as Dr Robert Thorne, an American specialist in Paris. Marie le Varre, as Adelaide Fontaine, a runaway wife, makes one of the hits of the piece in her song. ‘ Heat Wave.’ Others in the cast are Frank Leighton, John Dobbio, Ethel Morrison. Arthur Clarke, Mary Rigby, Jerry Connolly, Lesley Crane, Charles Zoli, and Thelma Forrest. ‘ High J inks ’ will bo presented again to-morrow night, when the season will definitely be concluded.