“THE DESERT SONG”

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7060, 7 November 1929, Page 8

“THE DESERT SONG”

A DRURY LANE SUCCESS. J. C. Williamson, Ltd., in presenting “The Desert Song” at the Opera house for two performances on Saturday, November 16, a matinee and evening, arc ensuring that the public of Palmerston North will be given the opportunity of seeing one of the finest musical plays, with one of the most notable casts, seen in a production of a like nature. The music, songs ballets, male choruses and general spectacularly of the production caused Australian critics (“The Desert Song” ran for long seasons in all the important. Australian towns) to regard it as a greater performance than “Rose Marie,” “The Vagabond King” or “The Student Prince.” It would be impossible to conceive of anyone more fitting than Lance Fairfax for the principal role, that of “Red Shadow,” head of a daring band of Riffs of Morocco, who give many anxious moments to the French forces. Lance Fairfax is a native of Wellington. To that extent he lias made New Zealand known throughout the world, for he ranks among the world’s best as an actor-singer. “The Red Shadow” is seen as a most picturesque figure on a white Arab charger, dressed in the flowing robes of a chieftain. Opposite him is Romola Hansen, and she has a sweet and powerful voice. “The Desert Song,” too, has come in for high praise for the chorus singing, while the dancing bears the inimitable stamp of Minnie Everett’s planning and teaching. The comedy parts, of which there is a great deal, are in the hands of Herbert Mundin and Renee Murphy. There are numerous solo dances. The scenes arc very elaborate, and bear fruitful resemblance to the localities in which the sets are said to take place. The orchestra is a feature of this production, as it is recognised, that, without a first-class orchestra and an expert conductor, all the other trouble gone to to collect a wellbalanced chorus and a highly talented cast, vocally and would be time wasted and a disappointment to the public. The box plans open on Thursday at the Central Booking office, i