J. C. Williamson Company

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7270, 25 September 1933, Page 5

J. C. Williamson Company

“BRIGHT SIDE UP” The box plans 'will be opened at the Contral Booking Office this morning for the first and only production here of Ernest C. Rolls’ gorgeously mounted and highly humorous and very tuneful musical comedy production, “Bright Side Up/ ’which is to be staged under the direction of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., at the Opera House on Wednesday night next. In reference to the initial New Zealand production of “Bright Side Up,” an Auckland critic wrote the following: ‘‘ln a whirl of colour, mirth and melody the Rolls’ brillant organisation entered into the tenth night of its season in a gorgeouslymounted production, ‘Bright Side Up,’ which was characterised by more verve, vivacity and attractiveness than any musical play ever staged in New Zealand. Erom the rise of the curtain the fun jumps on top speed, and it never flags for a moment in the ensuing three hours’ rush of revues, sketches, song scenes, dance specialties and striking ensembles, all set off to advantage by the beauteous ballet and the talented orchestration and general production, revealing the exceptional resources of the company from a new angle. Jennie Benson, Charles Norman and Rene Riano as the principal funmakers, team up effectively in areally funny lingerie store scene, but this is only one of a scries of extremely humorous sketches and funny situations, all of which made the audience roar with laughter. For a first-class laugh it would be hard to beat the ‘broadcasting’ scene in which that very polished gentleman comedian, Charles Norman, comes in at the wrong moment as the comic property man. Here is a burlesque that is witty and topical, with enough of the broad comedy to please any audience. Mr Norman, too, is delightfully facile in his operative caricature with the brilliantly clever comedienne Jennie Benson, a clever study that caused great enthusiasm. A striking comedy scene is ‘Blue Beard’s Eighth Wife/ an Arabian night’s fantasy, introducing exotic colour and dressing, with Rene Riano s special and original kind of humour and grotesqueries as the outstanding feature in a ‘Turkish Delight’ dance, following a creepy phosphorescent tango, leading up to a strong dramatic climax. Miss Jennie Benson’s song specialties aro a big feature of Bright Side Up/ Rivalling the revue settings in beauty arc the ensembles of the song ‘Trees/ ‘Russian Moon,’ and ‘Pearl of the Pacific,’ the first and last of which are notable for strikingly novel and lovely tableau effects, while the Russian song of Marie Doran and Colin Crane is .embroidered by a Costack dance. The ballet is a feature of the production, and Uio costuming most effective.’’