THEATRE GALA NIGHT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19991, 6 July 1928, Page 14

THEATRE GALA NIGHT.

L.NEW ST. JAMES' OPENED.

pRILLIANT MUSICAL COMEDY.

fTRIUMPH OF THE PERFORMERS I

The, opening last evening of Auckland's fewest temple of entertainment, the St. James', was from every point of jview the most auspicious event in the theatrical annals of New Zealand. It was remarkablo because it formally presented the city with its most palatial homo of drama, because it marked the return of the pioneering theatrical firm of Sir Benjamin and John [Fuller, and because it gave amusement lovers, who in Auckland boast a. discriminating community, a gala performance of ione of the best, brightest and funniest of musical comedies- Tho audience of over 2000 people was a brilliant assembly. From the rise of tho curtain shortly 8 o'clock until the animated sceno at its close at 11.15, the performance never fagged a minute. Such razor-edged •comedy, melodious music, clever dancing «nd gorgeous scenery has seldom been gathered into the confines of a single evening. "Archie" is a musical comedy rich with "humour of the effervescent spontaneous variety, bubbling over with wit .and sparkling repartee, floating on the jwings of romance one moment, returning to earth with an amusing bump tho next. Its three inimitable comedians, Miss Elsie Prince and Messrs. Jimmy Godden aqd Charlton Morton, of "No. No, Nanette" fame, can be seen time after time, and be fully appreciated. Their triumph last evening, acknowledged by long and continued applause, was a tribute to dramatic art developed to its highest extent in three very outstanding personalities. A Matrimonial Comedy.

is an entertainment built expressly for comedians. It plays ducks and drakes with matrimonial attachments iind bachelor romances until the spectator is in a perfect whirl of excitement. Archie himself is a dear old thing, head iover heels in lovo with his wife and adoringly weak and trusting. That ho should reprimand her for an innocent flirtation pt a dance is an unheard-of thing, so when his pals, eager for a scandal, persuade him to "put his foot down" and demand a divorce he is reduced to a state of nerves and trembling. But when supported morally by his friends, he asserts his authority and manliness, hesitatingly at first, firmly at last, he is amazed to find himself acclaimed a "cave man" and a'husband any wife might be proud of. That, with minor vacillations, js the story of "Archie." Of course, •there is the usual compromising incident in which a pair of silk pyjamas figures prominently, but it i 3 quito cleared up in the end, revealing friend Archie as the 'paragon of virtue we knew him to bo all fllong.

Comedians at Their Best. Z The most attractive in a long succession <©f striking scenes, songs and interludes .-.will be regarded by many as the humorous musical number, "Cairo Moon," an innane thing as compositions ..go, but a magical gem in the adept .{Jhands of those two unrivalled comedy Miss Prince and Mr. Godden. The .-national variations accorded ill., as whe:,'ther it was a Dundee, Blackpool or Parisian moon, met a seismic climax when "the two comedians gave an American version, replete with horn-rimmed spectacles

jmd chewing-gum... Mr. Godden has a role ideally suited to Vhis mirthful temperament and was in fine ; : fettle last evening. Whether he was look-

ing aside -with a sheepish grin or 'exterminating regiments with an icy - glance he was irresistible. He has, moreover, the advantage of delivering some of jthe funniest lines in the piece a.id secures -many of . his i laughs by tongue-tying his vwords. Several precious solo interludes ,Lvere gleefully received, the best, perhaps. "being 1 the monologue, " I'm Frightfully '■. Fit " .and an amusing musical chain. Mr. J;Morton was an excellent' partner, excell- ■ ing in duo dancing and the dialogue requirements with Mr. Godden. ' Miss Prince's Achievement.

■ , Miss Elsie Prince was in her best form .'and lived every moment of a vivacious performance. She is the diminutive /.comedienne par excellence, possessing a voice of remarkable clarity. One ,'iof the musical gems of the piece, "C'Esfc \jVous," came to her turn and she surpassed all expectations. If there was a in the personnel of the company t"ifc was -Miss Elsie Parkes, whose dancing -rind singing in the role of Angela was cna of the pleasantest memories in an unforgettable evening. She has the triple attractions of a useful voice, a graceful air and undoubted acting ability. Mr. - Leonard Rich proved an agreeable dancer, 'while Miss Betty Lambert's one contribu-

tion, " Spain," met with instant response. Mr. George Whilloughby maya a portly, „.port«ntious figure as Sir Michael and Miss / Nellie Deane an admirable Lady Violet. A perfectly trained chorus gave dash and to a thoroughly enjoyable entertainment.

Intentions o 1 the Firm. ■i At the close of the performance Mr. ; Johin Fuller, speaking from the stage, ! thanked the audience for its acknowledgments and apologised for the absence of • Sir Benjamin Fuller, who was attending the opening of a similar theatre in Bris- ; bane. The firm intended the St. James' 1 to be a home for good musical comedy, ! besides other plays, and, in partnership 1 with Mr. Henry Hayward, would present, as Fuller-Hay ward Pictures, some noUtble

screen achievements from time to time. ! Special facilities for, screening pictures ■were provided on a scale equal to those existing in the finest theatres in New York.

Mr. Fuller referred to the beginnings

©f the Fuller enterprise in Auckland 33 yefirs ago, when popular concerts were given in the old City Hall. Jn those Says the speaker gave out the programmes. He was delighted to see among the audionce some of those people •who. as artists, were on the firm's

criminal paysheets. The "Archie" Company, Mr. Fuller added, would remain at the St. James* for three or four weeks and would be followed by the Italian Grand Opera Company, which he confidently expected would prove an agreeable surprise to the Auckland musical public.