J. C. Williamson's Company

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 250, 23 October 1935, Page 9

J. C. Williamson's Company

MADGE ELLIOTT AND CYRIL RICHARD IN “ROBERTA”

To-night at 8 o’clock at the Opera House the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., management will present the brilliant and very popular musical comedy artists Miss Madge Elliott and Cyril Richard, together with an incomparable supporting company, numbering just on 100 people iu the greatly looked forward to production of “Roberta” which is ■said to be tho most costly, the most elaborate, most tuneful and most spectacular musical play which lias been seen on an Australian or New Zealand stage. Although the booking for tonight’s gala performance is very heavy there are still a number of scats in good positions which can be selected at Coilinsoa and Cunninghame’s and afterwards at the Opera House. Special interest centres in the production of “Roberta” because it will signalise the first appearance here of Miss Madge Elliott and Cyril Richard since they were recently married, and it will also bo their flnaL appearance here as after the present tour they will leave to fulfil an important engagement in London. “Roberta” was recently described as a play that is up to the minute in satisfying the tastes of the modern musical comedy lover. Nothing, it is said, is overdone. The music is railly good, with a catchiness about some of the numbers that cannot fail to set people whistling and humming for a long time, whilo the songs and dialogue reveal a human, story. There is just a little pathos, too, about the elderly “Roberta” who is Aunt Minnie to. John Kent, the splendidly natural fellow who knows more about football than the inside of a dressmaking business which he inherits aud shares with (Stephanie the manageress. There is a gorgeousness about the production which, it is said, does great credit to J. C. Williamson, Ltd., and which provides a background for the artistry of a well chosen and clever cast of .popular actors and actresses. Cyril Richard produced ‘ ‘ Roberta,” directed the ballets, plays the piano, sings, creates much humour and dances as only he can. Madge Elliott as Roberta’s Russian, princess-dress dci signer, is said to be a model of streamlined grace in her dances, and gives a most appealing performance of the theme songs “Touch of Your Hands,” “Lovely to Look at” aßd “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.” Miss Ethel Morrison, undoubtedly oue of the best actresses who has ever appeared in Australia and New Zealand, is said to be dignified and charming in the role ot Aunt Minnie. Miss Diane du Cane, a brilliant young London actress, achieved an outstanding success iu “Roberta” in. Auckland, and so did Frank Leighton, who has scored his best success in the role of John Kent. Miss Marie I.e Varre, the famous London comedienne, and Leo Franklin seo to it that the comedy is one of the features of “Roberta,” and they both create much laughter throughout the performance. That sterling character-comedian, Field Fisher, will make his reappearance in the important part of Lord Henry, and the talented young Aucklander, Miss Leslie Crane, will appear as Luella. Others in tho cast include Vera Wallace, Jerry Conuolly, Mary Rigby, Charles Zoli, Arthur Clarke, a talented young baritone, John Dobbie, Ann Leighton, Lean Slap off ski and other well known artists. The gorgeous mannequin parade is said to be the most spectacular ever attempted on the New Zealand stage. Also there is a beautiful team of Australian ballet girls- and a full operatic chorus and orchestra.