“SONS O’ GUNS”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21409, 10 August 1931, Page 5

“SONS O’ GUNS”

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE At 9 o’clock to-morrow morning the box plans will be opened at the Bristol j Piano Company for the season here of the latest and greatest J. C. Williamson, Ltd., musical comedy “ Sons o’ Guns,” which is to be staged at His Majesty’s Theatre on > Thursday next and four following nights, and an afternoon performance will be presented on Saturday. f “Sons o’ Guns” has everywhere broken the records established by “Rose Marie,” and it has established the fact that the public still has a pronounced affection for the legitimate stage. Judging by the number of inquiries which have been made at the box office, the booking will be as heavy here as it was in Wellington, where there was a record demand for seats. Lilting airs, gloriously tuneful musical numbers, pretty girls in gorgeous costumes, real and genuinely humorous comedy, a definite and very interesting domestic story with a charming love romance and scenes that dazzle by their magnificence, \ are the main ingredients responsible for the fact that “ Sons o’ Guns ” has proved the most successful comic opera staged during the past 10 years. Playgoers will be glad to welcome the irresistibly funny comedian, Gus Bluett, who is as popular here as he is in any other part of Australia or. New Zealand. Leo Franklin’s splendid foolery and his brilliant dancing were factors which assisted to make “The Girl Friend” very successful, and it is said that he received even, better opportunitities for his artistry in “ Sons o’ Guns.” It is some years now since we were last privileged to enjoy i the comedy work of that sterling artist Alfred Frith, and he is certain to receive a warm welcome. Miss Bertha Riecardo, who plays the heroine in the new musical paly, last visited New Zealand with Maurice Moscovitch. Since that time Miss Riccardo has appeared successfully in London and New York in a number of musical comedy successes, and she was specially engaged by the Wil- ' liamson management for the singing role of Yvonne. Another delightful actress is Miss Agnes Doyle, who is the comedienne of the organisation. The Sashing young baritone, Mr Frank Leighton, will make his reappearance in the part of Arthur .Travers. Those two brilliant dancers Miss Zona Zeppel and Eric Bush, will present their most sensational acrobatic .feature dance. Altogether, there are over 100 people concerned in the production of “ Sons o’ Guns,” . including a full operatic orchestra and chorus. The ballets and the ensembles were arranged by Mr Maurice Diamond, who will arrive in Dunedin to-day.