MUSICAL COMEDY

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 167, 14 June 1928, Page 3

MUSICAL COMEDY

PRESENTATION OF “SUNNY.” ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION.

Thoroughly enthusiastic was the crowded audience that assembled at the Opera House last night to witness the second production by the London Musical Comedy Company under the direction of Sir Benjamin and Mr John Fuller. “Sunny,” aptly described as the aristocrat of musical comedies, met with a reception such as is seldom accorded by local theatregoers. “Archie,” on Tuesday night, was a brilliant success; “Sunny,” last night, was equally well received, and if the firm continues to supply similar musical faro it can depend upon whole-hearted support from the people of Manuwatu. “Sunny” tells tho usual story of a tangle with a happy finale. A girl circus rider is in love with one man, almost engaged to another nnd marries a third one. Of course, matters have to be straightened out, and this is accomplished by means of an American divorce and a pretence cf an accident on tho hunting field. The scene of tho story travels from a circus in Southampton, England, over tho Atlantic in the steamship Triumph, to a gymnasium at a fashionable southern resort/ and oftds in a poppy field in Florida. *

The character of “Sunny Peters” (Miss Elsie Prince) dominates the uliolo play. One sees her in tho first scene as a circus rider, then as a stowaway aboard the liner, then as tho beautiful although unwilling bride, and later in hunting costume. But she is always tho gay and winsome “Sunny,’ and it must surely be one of Miss Prince’s best characterisations. Her part is a heavy one; she is on the stage and to,(lie forefront almost the whole of the time. She danced and sang and acted as only a superb artiste can. Her vocal items were many and they were all good. Maybe her best was the beautiful “Who,” which she sang with Air Leonard Rich early in the evening and portions of which were repeated many times. Then there was “Wedding Knell” with an appropriate chorus; “When We Get Our Divorce,” in which duet Air Jimmy Godden assisted, and “Do You Love Ale?” with Afr Charlton Alorton. Another success that Aliss Prince achieved was in “Blackbottom,” a pretty ballet with the leading lady heading a bevy of clever dancers. Of course, Air Jimmy Godden supplied tho larger share of the humour. IJe was “Jim Deering,” tho husband of “Sunny" for a short period, and his witticisms kept the house in roars of laughter. The jokes, too, were new in addition to being clever. In the vocal number, “Alania’s Gone Young,” he scored a great success, while the duet, “Let’s Say Good-night till it’s in which Aliss Betty Lambert also took part, elicited unbounded applause. Humour of a more subtle kind was supplied by Air Charlton Alorton, who appeared as “Harcourt Wendell Wendell,” a circus, proprietor. His duets with Aliss Betty Lambert were outstanding items of the evening. “Two Little Bluebirds” was a delightful number, while “Strolling” was almost equally as good. Afr Leonard Rich was well cast as “Tom Warren,” and he scored his best success with the solo, “Sunny,” while the duet, “When I in> Your Eyes,” with Miss Elsie Parkes was thoroughly enjoyable. Then there was Aliss Betty Lambert as “Weenie Winters,” who .was not. quite so unsophisticated as she pretended to he, and wiio acted and sang delightfully. Mr George Willoughby was “Seigfreid Peters,” tho father of “Sunny,” who contributed his share of the fun of the evening, while Afiss Nolle Deane, and Messrs Jack Smith, Jack Phillips, Phil Kennedy and Royston AlcDoncll completed an excellent cast. Aliss Deane had only one solo, “Sunshine,” hut it was one of the best of the evening. A specialty dance by Alessrs Roystoji McDonell and Jack Smith was very cleverly executed. A great portion of the success of the evening was duo to the ballets; it was) in addition to being good comedy, a dancing play. The girls in the chorus are young and pretty, they danced splendidly, and kept tho show going with vim. Tho Clown Dance in the first act was splendid and so was tho Poppy Ballet in the second, but they wore all thoroughly enjoyable. The scenery. was appropriate, file costumes wore gorgeous, •an excellent orchestra under Mr Frank Crowther rendered music of the very best, so that it was no wonder that when tho final curtain came just before eleven o’clock the audience departed after spending air evening of puro delight with the hope that they would be privleged to witness other plays-of a similar calibre.

‘‘AIERCENARA r AIARY” TO-NIGHT.

A musical comedy that had a decided, success in London and later in Australia was

“Mercenary Mary,” a dancing show of great humour and spectacular oll'cct. The score is hauntingly beautiful, and the theme of the play gives wonderful scope for the scene artist. Miss Prince will have a role wonderfully suited to her. volatile temperament, and all the other favourites, Miss Elsie Parkcs, Mr .Jimmie Goddon, Mr Chariton Morton and Miss Nolle Dean, will be suitably cast.