ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11437, 6 February 1923, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

GRAND OPERA HOUSE ‘OH, LADY, LADY” A FASCINATING PLAYLET. There is an old adage for which the poet Burns is said to have accepted full responsibility, to the effect that the best laid plaucJ of a;ice and. men “gang aft agley/’ *S'*htbor does it pay to interfere in luve. both are little truisms that made Hale Underwood ponder. But, of course, it was afterwards. Generally speaking, that is more often the case than not “Oh, Lady, Lady/' fir.«t produced in New York, if? a musical playlet, verginSf on the border line of farce. Guiy Bolton and F. C were responsible fer the lyrics. T'he music is by Jerome Kern. Performed for the first time in tVellbigton laflt. evening, '-'Oh, Lady. Li.dy" was greeted by a warmly enentluisiastic audionce, which showed its appreciation in no uncertain fashion. “Oh, Lady, Lady” is refreshing, full of originality—it even allows a comedian to descend upon the stage, wrong side up, from a balloon—and is in every sense an artistic production. There is not a dull moment. A great deal, and much that is worth while, is crowded into tbo two acts. It took Hale Underwood some time before lie began to ponder over those truiriins. To be quite exact, it took precisely two. act® to bring him to that frame of mind. Two acts brimful of fun and melody; an act commencing with a rehearsal for a wedding, and another whose finale showed the happy event particularly near at hand* Willoughby Finch (Cyril Bitchard), a rather matter-of-fact young American,. very much in love, but otherwise quite normal, ie» engaged to Molly Farrington (Floie Allen), a particularly charming and vivacious daughter of Uncle Sam. It must be incidentally mentioned, however, that both spoke Australian. Her mother disapproved of the match. She had a presentiment that it would not take place. She awaited a suitable opportunity to break it off. It would not no musical comedy if that, opportunity did not arise. Very ehortly.it did, in the charming form of Fainting Fanny Welch (Miss Maud Fane), with her golden head and infectious laugh. Fanny \va 3 a disciple of' the immortal Fagin. At picking pockets she was an adept* It had become a habit -with her. In the very act of purloining the wedding presents she was detected by 'her old admirer, Spike Hudgins, valet to the bridegroom-elect. , But a very different Spike, reformed, and honest. Jn other words, as he proudly announced the fact, now .a gentleman's gentleman! Fanny was persuaded not to appropriate the bride's pearls. She promised not to be reckless with the necklace. There was another visitor to Mrs Farrington’B Long Island homo that afternoon, Majorie Barber (Miss Madge Elliott), the Paris buyer for a New York house, and an old sweetheart of Willoughby. Finch. Marjorie grown from a rustic maid into the admirable finished product of "gay Paree." All the way had she uome from the city where all good Americans are said to go when they die. This complicated matters. Although on legitimate business, Finch believed her to be jealous, and desirous of creating a scene, and so giving Mrs Farrington an excuse to postpone tho wedding festivities. With the assistance of 'his obliging friend, Underwood (Bonald Hogue), he planned to shock her. Fanny, called to the rescue, posed as an old paramour. Unfortunately, Fanny exercised her histrionic abilities at the wrong moment, completely extinguishing all hope of a wedding for ever and a day, and, incidentally, vanishing- with the necklace. The temptation was too much for her.

Scene IT. discloses the roof garden of Willoughby Finch, the victim of circumstance, and the blundering of Fainting Fanny. The unsuspecting provider of so much unhappiness, now happily married to Hudgins, -arrived at nis master’s studio. Matters became even more complicated when Mrs Farrington, in search of her indulgent daughter, found Mrs Spike Hudgins in Finch's room. Thie setting served for several more or less embarrassing and amusing situations, interspersed with lively musical and occasional visits from a nonchalant detective. Fanny was at last discovered, but Spike proved faithful. He was very human, and had a fellow-feeling where jewellery was concerned. But how his wife returned the necklace to its rightful owner, and with it the happiness of two ' young people, wae a triumph of artistio ingenuity. It must be seen to be fully appreciated. Let it suffice to say that the plot is decidedly more cleverly construed than is usually the case in musical farce. The lines might have been specially written for Miss Fane. Her presentation of the laughing girl of the underworld showed her in an entirely new but none the less favourable and melodious light. This accomplished artist scored many successes. Her singing of "Mammy," and with Mr Percy, "Cosy Nest,” "I Found You,” and the humorous "Think of Me," evoked much laughter. Mr Percy, as usual, was quite irresistible. His impersonation of the reformed burglar was a clever character study, which gained him further admirers. Once again Mias Elliott very evenly divided the honours. She made a graceful and beautiful Marjorie, whose tuneful voice and dainty step showed what a consummate and ‘versatile artist she is. Hjer dance with Cyril Bitchard in "My Lady Nicotine" with its Spanish memory was one of the delights of a very delightful performance. Mr Fitchard was very happily cast as the unhappy Jover continually meeting misadventure. He made the very utmost of the lines. Another very finished piece of work was the character sttidy of the janitor by ’Mr Field Fisher. Although Mr Cecil Kellewav had comparatively little to say as the detective he knew hqw to say it. Miss Millie Engler was equal to -demands os Mrs Farrington, and Miss Ella Nugent made the most of the role as her maid.

A very effectively arranged dance was that of the burglars by Jack Hooker, Phil Kennedy, and Gwennie Withers. Among the old musical numbers resurrected were "Margie,” "Whispering," "Do It Now," and "Oh, Lady, Lady." The play, which will be staged again this evening, was produced by Mr Harry E. Burcher. Mr Harry Burton was musical director.