J. C. Williamson Musical Comedy Company

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7296, 5 August 1930, Page 9

J. C. Williamson Musical Comedy Company

“LOVE LIES” AND “SO THIS IS LOVE.” The following was written by the critic of tho Auckland Herald regarding tho initial performance in New Zealand of “Love Lies” the London Gaiety musical .comedy triumph which is to be staged hero by the J. C. Williamson Ltd. management at the Opera House on Wednesday and Thursday next: — “A scene of extraordinary enthusiasm occurred at the close of the brilliant musical comedy “Love Lie-s” at His Majesty’s theatre on Saturday evening. The theatre, -which had been empty for many months res-ounded tt thunderous applause for fully five minutes while Mr Clem Daw-o, the gifted and e-vcr-we-lconic coincdia-n, and the delightful people of his company, bowed their acknowledgements to a remarkable display of approval. Nor would the audience, exeitod over the manifest triumph of a “flesh and blood” musical show after pessimists had predicted its demise, permit , the curtain to fall until the producer, Mr Eiric E-dglcy, and Mr Da wo had both inado littlo speeches of gratitude. The theatre was packed as it used to be in the hey-day of legitimate drama and tho entertainment, which is one of the very best ever enjoyed in Auckland, went with a delightful swing from start to the magnificent finale.”

From start to finish “Love Li-cs” is entirely English, whether in humour oi sentiment, setting or personnel. In both “Love Lies” and “So This is Love” Mr Dawe will appear in a comedy role which may hav-e been specially created for this quaint and original humorist. It would, however, be misleading to suggest that tiho comic reins are entrusted entirely to Mr Dawo’-s hands, because ho is ably assisted in tho fu-nmaking by Mr Bobby frordon, one of Loudon’s best and most popular light comedians, and by Miss lvatherine Stewart ,a charming comedienne, Miss Betty Eley, a graceful young English singer and dancer, who is entrusted with the part played by Miss Madge Elliott in the London i>ro■duction of “Love Lic-s” scored an outstanding succ-ciss in Auckland and others who achieved triumphs were Marie Eaton, Paul Plunkett, Mr Oom-p----ton Coufcts, Lee White, Mona Barlee and John Wood. A featuro of the production is tho brilliantly clever ‘ ‘ tap dancing” by a team o-f young Australian girls, and another feature is the sensational specialty dunce by Mona Zoppel and Mr John Robertson. A full o-peratie orchestra is under the direction of Gregory Ivanoff. Plans ■now open at the Central Booking office.