"A ROMEO IN RAGS"

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21560, 3 August 1933, Page 12

"A ROMEO IN RAGS"

A CLEVER PERFORMANCE Over 100 performers took part in tho Donna Voorhees' production, "A Romeo in ltags," which opened ti season in tho Scots Hall last evening in aid of tho Rov. G. E. More ton's Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society. An nudionco which nearly fdled tho hall was delighted by tho bright dancing and musical numbers which were a feature of the production. Tho story was slight but appealing. It concerned tho romantic ambitions of a poor newspaper boy, tho wonderful dream in which ho saw himself a great sailor, and the final romance which more than made up for his temporary disillusionment on waking from his dream^ In tlio title role Brian Fisher-Betth gave a natural portrayal and, playing opposite him, Miss Voorhees made a charming heroine. T. G. Mooreraft was seen as a good-natured but rather weak publican, Elsie Meredith as his domineering wife, Ester Holesworth as the garrulous but sympathetic charwoman, Bromley Davenport as a typical "dudo" and Cyril Wood as tho very Irish police sergeant. In the second act of fantasy Harry Dallimore made n very effective Neptune, while a number of supporting roles were all carried out with zest and understanding. The size of tho company and tho exigencies of the ballet work made the undertaking an ambitious one, but the standard attained reflected credit on tho producers, and particularly on tho many young performers who took part. The scenery, designed by Mr. Harold Knight and Mr. Jack Crippen, and the lighting effects, were artistically carried out. Mr. Trevor Sparling's orchestra supplied tho musical accompaniments.