ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11438, 7 February 1923, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

“OH, LADY, LADY” GREAT SUCCESS AT THE OPERA HOUSE. THE PUBLIC DELIGHTED. If it is true that nothing succeeds like success, then this trite old saying may in truth be applied to the charming musical comedy which is now being staged at the Opera House, “Oh, Lady, Lady.” There is no manner of doubt as to the nature of the reception, a most cordial one, extended to the previous play, “A Night Out,” but its successor has taken the public by storm, and the Opera House last night was crowded with an audience that expressed its approval in a most emphatic manner. Call it a play or a farce, which you will, it is a jolly performance from start to finish, and it ia such a feast of merriment that it is guaranteed to drive away dull caro from the most? jaded countenance. True, there are only two acts, hut one enjoys every moment of both of them. The theme is one that will never grow old (need it be said it is love?), but even round matters affecting the heart a mountain of fun and humour can be, and is built, and the. climax to he desired can be reached without any loss of dignity or sincerity. The opening scene portrays a rehearsal for a wedding, hut there are many vicissitudes before the happy event becomes an accomplished fact. Willoughby Finch (Cyril Ritchard), a smart young American, is very much in love and becomes engaged to Molly Farrington (Floie Allen), a young maiden of considerable attractions, but the match met with the disapproval of her mother, who waited lor an opportunity to break it off. Then complications begin to ensue, and Fainting Fanny Welch (Miss Maud Fane) does her share towards this end by attempting to purloin some of the wedding presents, an art in which sho is somewhat of an adept. She is detected, however, by Spike Hudgins, an old admirer of hers, hut now reformed and acting as valet to the bridegroomelect. She also is induced to reform, and is called upon to render service in getting rid of the presence of an old sweetheart of Finoh, who is inclined to be jealous and make trouble, and incidentally to give Molly’s mother the excuse for breaking off the engagement. Everything goe9 wrong, and the end of the first act sees Fanny unable to resist temptation, for she disappears with the necklace. Act 11. provides a set of circumstances ia which everything but the right one is done, and all efforts to bring them right only succeed in making them worse. With all the mishaps that befall nearly all concerned it displays great ingenuity in manoeuvring the plot so that the tangle is straightened out in the end, as it is in the most approved fashion. The construction of the plot is exceedingly clever, and this can not always be said of musical comedy, in which plot is usually lacking. Miss Fane succeeds admirably as the girl of the underworld, and her efforts at reform are very realistic. She enlivens the proceedings considerably, and her songs with Mr W. S. Percy were received with rounds of applause. As/ was to be expected, Mr Percy gets home every time in the comedy role, and as the reformed burglar added to the reputation he has in characters of this type. Miss Elliott and Mr Cyril Ritchard were both very delightful, especially in their dances.

Another very finished piece of work was the character study of the janitor by Mr Field Fisher. Mr Ronald Hogue has a congenial part is Hale Underwood and Miss Floie Allen is splendid as Molly Farrington. Although Mr Cecil Kelleway had comparatively little to say as the detective he knew how-±o-say it. Miss Millie Engler was equal to demands as Mrs Farrington, and Miss Ella Nugent made the most of the role as her maid. A very effectively arranged danoe was that of the burglars by Jack Hooker, Phil Kennedy, and Gwennie Withers. Among the' musical numbers are “Margie,” “Whispering,” “Do It Now,” and “Oh, Lady, Lady.” The play, which will be staged again this evening, was produced by Mr Harry E. Barcher, with Mr Freddie Wallace as stage manager. Mr Harry Burton was musical director.

THE THIRD PRODUCTION “MARY” ON SATURDAY. At the Bristol Piano Company this morning the box plans will he opened for the seven representations of the exquisite comic opera, “Mary,” which is to be staged for the first time in Wellington at. the Grand Opera House on Saturday night next. “Mary” broke all known records in Melbourne during its recent 14 weeks run there, and then it had to be withdrawn only to permit the New English Musical Comedy Company to fulfil its present New Zealand dates. “Mary” has not yet been staged in Sydney, but it will be presented there after it has finished delighting New. Zealand audiences, and at the termination of its return season in Melbourne. In Melbourne and London “Mary”' was known as the dancing musical comedy, because the big and beautiful ballets and the original dances are features of the production. The dances were created and staged by Mr Jean Richards, a noted Continental producer, who was brought to Australia specially for the purpose of staging “Mary.” The story of “Mary” is sweetly pretty, and it is responsible for one of the biggest song successes known during recent years. That is the one entitled “The Love Next,” which is interpreted by _ Miss Maud Fane and Mr Roland Hogue. Mr W. S. Percy will appear as a dapper little Frenchman, so his friends can imagine him in such a part. REDFERN MUNICIPAL BAND ARRIVAL TO-DAY. The Redfem Municipal Band (late South Sydney Model) will arrive by th|o ITfiimaroa to-day. in this city. This band, under the baton of Mr W. M. Partington; has just completed a wonderful series of entertainments at the (Hippodrome Theatre, Sydney, arid at the New South Wales Donservatorium of Music, and has attained the highest standard of any band in the Commonwealth gaining the judge’s verdict (Mr H. Shugg) for the championship of Australia for 1922. Musical critics in the Commonwealth claim them to be the most magnificent brass hand combination that haa ever left the shores of Australia. Wellington is the first city in the Dominion to be favoured with two very classical entertainments, to be given at the Town Hall on Thursday and Friday evenings next. The band’s soloists are said to be something far above anything yet heard in New Zealand; only last week prior to leaving Sydney, they gained seven first places. Included in their number iB Mr W. Lahey, soprano soloist, whose wonderful articulation has won fame for him throughout the musical

circles of Australasia, and is known in r >'.ney as “the man who makes tlic c.u'net sing.” As the hand will only he able to give two concerts >n Wellington, the public would be well advised to book early, as big audiences are expected. An exceptional programme has been chosen, and a musical treat is assured. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE “THE ORANGE GIRL.” The new programme presented at His Majesty’s Theatre is proving a great attraction, and a large audience again showed their approval last evening. Hie performance is of a particularly high order, and there are several turns that are new to AVellington. Vaughan, the acrobat, is a contortionist of' unusual ability, and he twists his body into weird postures. Harry North puts the concertina on a new plane, and obtains wonderful results in operatic and lighter vein. Miss Lola Stantonne plays difficut pieces with apparent ease, and has a wide range of items,' the syncopated numbers appealing to the audience. Miss Ruth Bucknall sings many delightful songs ia a pleasing manner, while the Hilo Trio are much in evidence in their quiet island setting, and greatly in demand. The ability to amuse is again demonstrated by Walter George and his Sunshine Players in “The Orange Girl,” a delightful playlet in a pretty setting. The piece abounds in merriment, and Frank Perryn takes the part of Lord Earlidoors, which is quite suited to him, and he makes the most of it. George Storey creates the fun of the evening with his laughable version of a valet. There are many tuneful numbers and pretty ballet scenes, and the performance has a finish. “The Orange Girl” should make an appeal to the most critical. The programme will he repeated this evening.