VARIED AND VIVID

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11665, 1 November 1923, Page 3

VARIED AND VIVID

“THE CABARET GIRL” CLEVER MUSICAL COMEDY. It is a long time since we had so gay a sparkler as "The Cabaret Girl. Musical comedies and many have made their way on the boards of the Opera House, but never one more varied, vivid and tuneful. The collaboration of George and that prince of wags, P. G Wodehouse, would augur something ur usual, and here it is. Jerome Kern has proved his musicianship, too, and the result is the most cheery of musical conredies, with dialogue which fainy scintillates, tuneful and catchy music, dressing of the most artistic, and, finally, a great and gorgeous parade of girl. There are girls in plenty in this most attractive show, bewitching damsels most of them, and frocked and drilled in a manner inconceivable in pre-war times. Decidedly, "The Cabaret Girl" is a success, and one can understand its lengthy London season on viewing the most remarkable tout ensemble given us in musical comedy of recent vears.

The plot is the usual story presented in an unusual manner. Jimmy Paradene’s money Is held by his aunt, Lady Harrogate, and her son, Lord Harrogate. And if Jimmy wishes it he must behave himself and not marry without permission. It is when he meets Marilynn Morgan, known to the stage as "Flick,” that his troubles commence. Jimmy falls head over heels in love with her, and she with him. But Marilynn does not see why Jimmy should lose hla money for her sake; besides which she likes the gay town life, while he was made for the country. So for twelve months they go different ways. When they meet again Marilynn has been out of a shop for so long that she begins to feel desperate. Her chance comes when Mr Grawins, of the firm of Grawins and Gripps, music publishers, decides to start a cabaret. Marilynn goes after a job, rnd there she meets Jimmy, who propounds a madcap idea. This is nothing less than bhat they should run down to the country, pretend to be married and apprise bis aunt, to see how she takes it. If the plan works, and she relents, all will be well and they can marry, otherwise there will be no harm done. Gripps lends them 'his country cottage, and all rocs swimmingly. But once at the country seat (Woollam Chersey, Herts) matters do not look 60 rosy. To begin with Gripps forgets his promise, and arrives on the scene, having invited many people to be present at his "birthday.” One shock suceeds another. The members of a» cabaret troupe arrive on the scene ju*t when they are not wanted, Lady Harrogate is expected at any moment, and it is found that none of the members of the connty families, who were relied upon to impress her, are at home. Quick thinking is needed, and Gripps does it. The troupe is told off. each to impersonate an important individual in the neighbourhood. One appears 55 Lady, Bumbledon Upwater, pne as a peppery Colonel. All unite to imitate thv exaggerated manners of the county families, while Gripps is triumphant as the vicar, attended by two of his olive branches. All goes swimmingly, Marilynn makes a fine impression, and Lady Harrogate is charmed, until the real vicar appears on the scene Inquiries follow, and the conspirators are unmasked. Things are bad enough, but Marilynn makes them worse by revealing the fact that ehe and Jimmy are n<jt married. She bids a tearful adieu, and the curtain falls.

The final act is & gorgeous pillared cabaret scene, most effective, with a miniature stage inset. The act is devoted entirely to a cabaret entertainment, to song and dance, and mirthmaking, all of a high order, and culminates in Jimmy’s declaration to his sweetheart thAt money or no money, he means to marry her. The "Cabaret Girl" marks a double event. It is the first appearance of Miss Madge Elliott in a leading role, and the return of Alfredi Frith, most intriguing of all comedians, from the United States. Miss Elliott we know of old. She has long been & favourite and has appeared in many parts, always giving proof of her personality, from the old days when she was purely a dancer, to to-day, when she does eo much more. She has charm, a winsome nature, and acts as if she enjoys it; as she probably does. For verve, agility, and gaiety it would) be hard to excel her. Alfred Frith’s talent axe too wellknown to need labouring. Sufficient to say that if the show were a poor one, which it is not, ho, alone, would be worth going to Gee. Wodohouse-Frith is inextricable in his work as Grippe, and to any one who knows Wodehouse that will be sufficient. Some day we shall see his eoual, * but New Zealand will be much older before hie superior arrives. His humour is still definitely Frith, unforgettable, infectious. He is still chief of the band of fun-makers. There ore so many popular favourites in the show that their names crowd up U 1 nt once. Cyril Ritchard (Grawins) still a 3 cheerful, spruce, and dancing as neatly as ever; Harold Pearce (Jimmy Paraaene), the best baritone we have heard in musical comedy for a decade, even if a trifle etontorian; Floie Allen (Ada), that dainty and provoking Miss who possesses a sweet voioe end no mean acting ability; Cecil Kellaway, bluff and hearty, as the cowboy, Harry Zona; Field Fisher, again showing his talent for character acting in the part of the distinctly "loud" theatrical agent Feloosi; * Marie Baton, dashing and vivid as Lily de Jigger; Millv Engler, who dees good work as Lady Harrogate; and Fred Mac Kay as her foppish eonA good little character bit is done by Harry Wotton, as Quibb, a piano tuner, while Nellie Payne is an attractive Bffie Dix, Gravvins’.s destined bride; Stuart Fraser and Lucy Frith are members of the cabaret troupe, Mabel Monro ia a housekeoper, John Phillips the Mayor of Woollam Chersey, and George Jennings the vicar; Beryl Ferguson, Winnie Tate, Beryl Anderson, and Kiera Tnson are an attractive bevy of assistants. Lissome little Reita Nugent, along with, the perennial Jack Hooker, are the dancere in this fine' production. Their dancing is eccentric and clever, and Miss whose fame has penetrated to these wilds, dances fully up to expectations, lightly and cloverly.

Tho ''Cabaret Girl" will be played tonight and until Tuesday next, inclueivrt. There will bo a matinee of the piece on Saturday next. Wednesday next will see. for tho first time in Wellington, another brilliant musical play in "Kissing Time." This highly interesting season terminating with a special revival of "A Night Out."