“IRENE.”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18158, 1 February 1921, Page 3

“IRENE.”

MUSICAL COMEDY ON FEBRUARY 9.

J. and N- Tait’s new Musical Comedy Company makes its first appearance in Dunedin at His Majesty’s Theatre on Wednesday, February 9, in “Irene,” which has just concluded the record run of 150 performances at the Criterion Theatre, Sydney. “Irene” is described as a musical play with a plot, that unusual accessory to this class of pleasure. Irene O Dare is a shopgirl who says “ain’t” with the same ease that Tilly’s mother in “Tilly of Bloomsbury” drops her “aitches.” She wanders into the home of a millionaire to see about some chair cushions that seem to have shrunk. The millionaire “ falls for her.” After a little roaming about she becomes a mannequin to Madame Lucy, a dressmaker of the male sex. With her are two sister work girls, and the trio, transformed by Madame Lucy’s dresses, become the rage of society. Speaking of the cast, a Sydney paper says;—“Dorothy South, the new leading lady, is an actress of personality with a sweet voice—the way she gets into one’s good books is a touch of genius. She has a'. splendid singing voice and makes hits with all her solos. ‘ Alice Blue Gown,’ sung in the first act. is a dainty composition which never fails to win approval. Two other performers who make a great impression are Peggy Maloney and Marion Earle, two of Irene’s shopgirl friends. They have a real sense of humour and a rich streak of grotesque comedy. Madame Lucy, as played by Chester Chute, is another hit. The dapper little man, whose whole idea of dressmaking is art and beauty, not profits, is quite an original study. Mr Robert Jewett appears as Irene’s lover, and his singing is one of the gems of the performance.” This class of praise has been bestowed on the play and players by all the Australian press, which is unanimous in describing “Irene” as the greatest _ musical comedy success of years. The dominion tour, which commenced at Wellington two weeks ago, is proving remarkably successful, and the most flattering reports have been received from the north as to the all-round excellence of play and players. The box plans for tho season of five nights open at the Bristol on Friday.