REMARKABLE MUSICAL PLAY

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3599, 3 April 1924, Page 9

REMARKABLE MUSICAL PLAY

“ SALLY.” On Saturday and Monday next at 7.45 at the Opera House, J. C. Williamson’s New Comic Opera Company will present tho much anticipated musical play "Sally.” Of tils remarkably successful musical comedy a prominent Sydney critic writes: “The various scenes call for their well-earned tribute. The Alley Inn was one of the finest bits of stagecraft imaginable, Tho quaint masonry and its rambling structure lent a Continental influence. The garden scene was another admirable display seen under the rich speU of many novel illuminants. New effects were gained in Act 111., with its triple scenes, which were artfully vig. netted by means of special silk and brocade curtain sets. The roseplnk boudoir suggested tho queen of flowers in bloom. In the opening act comedy ran riot. No more attractive minutes were contained in the evening’s entertainment than the dance by the foundling and the subsequent song and effects " You can’t keep a good girl down ” by Sally and foundlings. After this parade the heroine began her brief career as a dishwasher at the Alley Inn, but she was soon promoted to the position of a dancer through the kindly influence of the Duke of Czechogovauia, whose country’s instability had necessitated his seeking a position as waiter at the inn. The proprietor was a former subject of the duke, and more or less a puppet in his hands. Sally’s meeting with Blair Farquar, novelist and rich man’s son, began a romance, and introduced some agreeable vocal melodies woven about “Sally in Our Alley.” The plan of Otis Hooper, theatrical agent, to substitute Sally for Madame Nooker. ova, who had broken her contract, changed the little slavey into am imposing notability, whoso entry and exit at the garden party of the Farquars gave scope for some fine acting. Heal, ising that tho fame of Nookerova’s dancing brought! with it also an unsavoury reputation. Sally deliberately disclosed her identity rather than lose Richard’s live; but tho astute Otis Hooper prevented such a financial catastrophe, and Sally went off, escorted by the sympathetic and indignant duke in whose honour the party had been’arranged. Tho last act brought Sally fame and love; and to the audi. ence, a wealth of coloured movement and many novelties of action. The Box Plans are now open at Gate’s Music Stores.