“Sally” To-night

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 225, 24 September 1935, Page 8

“Sally” To-night

At tho Opera Houso to-night the Palmerston North Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society (by arrangement with Alcssrs J. C. Williamson, Ltd.) present the well-known musical comedy, “Sally," which, will be continued on the following four nights. The play concerns the fortunes of “Sully," a dishwasher at the restaurant kept by “Pops” Sheiiuorff. Sally has ideas; washing dishes docs not appeal. She can dance, as she demonstrates to Connie (Duke Constantine of Czccliogovinia), who is. employed as a waiter at the same restaurant. Love interest is provided by Blair Farquhar, son of a millionaire, who, with the help of Otis Hooper, a vaudeville agent, quickly recognises the talents of Sally. Sally is introduced as ‘Madame Nockcrova," the eminent Russian danseuse, and makes an immediate impression. The various parts arc taken by Airs Wkitehouso (Aliss Edna . Boon), who plays “Sally"; Aliss Ulu Hancock (Rosie), Aliss D. Wischncwsky (Airs Ten Brock), and Alcssrs J. Alcßrcarty (Connie), A. Vernon (Otis Hooper), E. Spraggon (Blair Farquhar), C. N. Rabons (Richard Farquhar), W. Oliver (“Pops” Slicndorff), C. Watkins (Jimmie Spelvin), and R. J. Hatch (Admiral Travers). The play abounds in rich humour, tuneful songs (“Sally," “Church 'Round the Corner," “ Wlup-o-will," “Wild Rose,” “Look for the Silver Lining," etc.), and excellent dancing. Eccentric tap-dancing will bo indulged in, also ballet and adagio work. Tho ballets have been arranged by Cressell Vaughan and Kathleen Boyle, and are a distinct change from anything previously attempted- by the local society. Air Harrison Cook is producer and associate-producer is Air Fred Cousins.

The Frocking The comedy lends itself to colourful dressing and staging which the producers have exploited to a delightful degree. Mrs W. - Whitehouso (Aliss Edna Boon), who has given so many notable performances in junior leads, has her chance in tho title role, and plays the best part of her career. She appears first in tho dress of the foundling, then as the Russian dancer wearing a striking frock of black taffeta, with quaint full sleeves ruehed to the neck, a black girdle finished with diamante, black and silver shoes, and a taffeta roll in her hair. From this she changes into Russian national dress, a full skirt of salmon-pink satin, white satm blouse with black bolero and green sash, sequined head-dress and gold Russian boots. As the solo dancer in the “Follies Ballet," Miss Boon wears the conventional ballet frock, the bodice outlined with apricot organdie flowers, similar flowers forming a wreath for her hair. In the final scene at the “little church round the corner,” she presents a charming appearance in her wedding gown of magnolia satin, tho satin girdle caught through a gold buckle, a long veil of laco held to her head with a gold lame halo, and falling to form a train. The six bridesmaids are in salmon-pink organdie frocks and hats and carry sheafs of lilies. Aliss Ulu Hancock in the part of the American manicurist, “Rosalind Rafferty," is an excellent foil to the other leads, and further demonstrates her versatility as a soubrette. Her first entrance is made in a graceful- j

fitting frock of electric blue satin and moire, the corsago trimmed v.'ith frills j and silver lame flowers. Over this she Wears a handsome brown fur coat. Flame taffeta is Miss Hancock’s second choice, a wido gathered frill finishing the skirt and diamante trim-1 ming the corsage, a bustle bow of tarfeta marking the waistline. With this frock she wears a white fur cape. In the third act Miss Hancock changes to cameo silk crepe with diamante ornaments. At her final appearance in the wedding scene she wears a frock of floral crepo in tonings of green and yellow, with a picture hat of white straw trimmed with flowers. Miss D. Wischnewslcy, happily placed in the role of the settlement worker, ‘‘Mrs Ten Brock,” first appears in a trim brown and beige checked tailored suit with brown and beige spotted jumper, a jackol hat and stonemarten stole. In the second act she wears a model frock of bronze-green laco with metal threads, also a white fur evening cape trimmed with grey fox fur. Her final appearance is made in a model frock of floral niuon in tonings of navy, pink and grey, "with which slio wears a leghorn hat trimmed with navy, also navy shoes. For the cabaret bullet, short flared skirts and fitting bodices of blue net, with silver trimmings and silver shoes, ■ are worn. Blue pyjama suits aro die choice for tho tap ballet, with designs in silver glitter and touches of red, set off with smart tricorn hats of silver glitter. At the reception for the duko a peasant ballet is introduced, and this is a particularly bright dance, J the girls wearing full skirts in varied colours with full georgette blouses and red Russian boots and national headdress. A most attractive dance is the ballet at “the Follies,” tho dancers wearing long ballet skirts of white net with circlets of apricot flowers, white satin bodices and apricot wreaths iu their hair. An “adagio” danco is introduced by Miss Kathleen Boyle wearing apricot taffeta and net, her partner, Mr Eric Bills, wearing an apricot satin blouso and black trousers. The five toe dancers are Misses: Betty Muir, Cresswell Vaughan, Deicio Berryman, Marjorie Muir and Myrtle Clarke. Box plans aro now open at Collinson and Cunninghame’s, and it is necessary to reserve in order to be sure of a reasonably good seat.