“NO, NO, NANETTE”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20088, 3 May 1927, Page 10

“NO, NO, NANETTE”

A COMING ATTRACTION. Elsie Prince, the leading lady of the ■‘No, No, Nanette,” Company, and Jimmy Godden, the principal comedian, have made themselves tremendously popular in Australia and New Zealand by their brilliant work in this record-breaking musical comedy, which is to be stag-ed here by the J. 0. Williamson (Ltd.) management, by arrangement with Sir Benjamin and Mr John Fuller, at His Majesty’s Theatre for a brief season, beginning- with a special gala matinee performance On Saturday afternoon. They both come with big London reputations, which they have more than sustained in “No, No, Nanette.’ From the moment Nanette (Elsie Prince) appears on the stage with Jimmy Smith (Jimmy Godden), and sings “I Want to be Happy,” tho performance goes with a swing. The lure of the music of “No, No, Nanette,” seems to infect players and public alike. In a constant eddy of girl, a kaleidoscope of costumes that shame the rainbow, a whirl of shapely legs, and a jumble of comedy, eyes and ears are irresistibly attracted to Nanette, from tho time she breaks from a drab existence ot repression and sings and dances her quaint little way into the arms of her youthful Tom Trainer (Claude Holland). The comedians carry a big share of the success of “No, No, Nanette,” upon their worthy shoulders. Mr Godden is ably assisted in tho fun-making by the dashing young light comedian and dancer, Mr Charlton Morton, who was specially engaged in London for the part of Billy Early. The plot of “No, No, Nanette,' was borrowed from the comedy “His Lady Friends,” played with immense success in London by the late Sir Charles Hawtrey, and in Australia and New Zealand by the Mr Joseph Coyne. But, of course, the Jimmy Smith of Jimmy Godden is very different from that of Charles Hawtrey. Hawtrey was asked only to be his inimitable self, while Mr Godden, besides being himself, has to be that self of the musical comedy stage, which generally either makes or mars the piece. No lighting or scenic effects, no tuneful numbers or acrobatic dancing will send away an audience completely happy unless the comedy has also been good. The laughs must be brought by one blessed with the gift ot comedy, and such a one the mangement has evidently procured in Jimmy Godden. Altogether there are over 70 people concerned in the production of “No, No, Nanette,” of which the dancing is one of the features. Miss Alma Mackie is said to be one of tho cleverest acrobatic dancers the Australian stage has produced, and her specialty dance effect always creates a furore of enthusiasm. The box plans will be opened on Thursday morning.