“OUR MISS GIBBS”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22744, 3 December 1935, Page 10

“OUR MISS GIBBS”

AN UNQUALIFIED TRIUMPH REVIVAL AT HIS MAJESTY’S The triumph of “ Our Miss Gibbs ” at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening—and there can be no doubt that it was a triumph—was largely the triumph of production and technique. There have been many versions of “ Our Miss Gibbs ” on the boards at His Majesty’s Theatre, but there have been few more attractive presentations than that which Miss Madge Elliott and Mr Cyril Ritchard and the J. C. Williamson Company have provided on this occasion. Of course, “ Our Miss Gibbs ” has ahyays been in one of the best box office classes. It has warmth and glow, rippling comedy blended with the purest burlesque, colour and brightness, and, perhaps chiefest of all, a score of musicianly charm which delights the ear while the beauty and colour capture the eye. But with all its many qualities, “ Our Miss Gibbs ” requires proper handling. Like Mary Gibbs herself, it has to be dressed and displayed, touched up here to bring it right up to date, finished off there to give it a freshness which is charming if, perhaps, sometimes not strictly necessary. And it is because Mr Cyril Ritchard has done all these things, and done them well, that he has produced an “ Our Miss Gibbs ” which must remain a pleasurable memory for all who saw it last night. The pity of it is that no other evening performances can be given. The only other presentation of this delightful comedy will be at the matinee to-morrow afternoon. Although the technical aspect of this performance was ranch more marked than is usually the case in. productions of this kind seen in Dunedin, skilful direction and imaginative mounting do not comprise a short cut to success. The cast must be there to present the comedy against the background. It was Mr Ritchard’s good fortune to have the cast. There seemed to be scores of them, and every one of them was working very hard all night. Mr Ritchard for all he may have done “back stage” spent a strenuous evening in front of the footlights, and gave hie usual good measure. His Study of Hughie was excellent, his dancing, as usual, an artistic delight, and his singing of “ Yip-I-Addy-I-Ay ” seemed to typify the vigorous liveliness which the company gave to the show. Miss Elliott as Mary Gibbs looked the part as well ae she played it. She danced with the artistic abandon which is so characteristic of her, and, in addition to providing some of the vocal highlights of the evening, such as “ Mary,” “In Yorkshire,” and “Moonstruck," she paraded some of the most exquisitely lovely dress creations of the season. Mr Frank Leighton’s quietly convincing and pleasantly sedate manner stood him in better stead as Lord Eynsford than it did in the role of John Kent in “ Roberta.” He displayed some, very neat touches which were lost in hie previous part, and succeeded iu leaving an excellent impression. Miss Ethel Morrison carried off the grand air of the Duchess of Minster admirably, and drew a delightful portrait, while Miss Marie Le Varre as is her custom did all things well. She has a flair for retort and with her it does not always have to be vocal. Miss Diane Du Cane, us Lady Betty, looked charming and sang charmingly throughout and acquitted herself very well. But there were few in the cast whom the audience loved more last night than droll little Mr Freddie Foss. When he rolled his eyes, manipulated those amazingly plastic limbs of his, threw himself about the stage regardless of whether or not there was anything soft to fall upon, and generally drained every last drop of comedy and farce out of his irresistibly humorous role of Cousin Timmie, he -won all hearts. His is hardly the whirlwind type of comedy, but it moves at an amazingly fast tempo all the time and he contrives to make such a joke of absurdity that almost at times his audience is persuaded into believing that “ Our Miss Gibbs ” is distinguished by more deftly subtle humour than actually it is. One can stand a lot of Mr Foss. Miss Mary Rigby presented a very intriguing Mrs Farquhar and certainly looked the lady of fashion, and Mr John Dobbie used both his substance and a good speaking voice to compound bis lofty style hs Mr Toplady. There were many others in the cast who did exceptionally well and the work of the choruses and ballet was a feature of the success of the show. The six bridesmaids danced and sang beautifully and, like all the ensembles and choruses, had the benefit of charmingly effective costuming. Every moment one becomes more and more impressed with the painstaking care and artistic conception that have been devoted to the mounting of the play. The orchestra, under Mr Leo Packer, was also an important factor in the evening’s enjoyment. “ Our Miss Gibbs ” will be presented again to-morrow afternoon. “ HIGH JINKS ” TO-NIGHT. To-night the J. C. Wiliamson Company, headed by Madge Elliott and .Cyril Ritchard, will be seen at His Majesty’s Theatre in the famous musical comedy, “ High Jinks,” which the management expects to be as popular as either of the other two attractions presented during the season. Adapted for the English stage by Frederick Lonsdale, “High Jinks” carries the audience merrily along from curtainrise to curtain-fall. There are many delightful musical numbers and dances in the three acts, the work of the ballet being a feature. Friml’s musical score is full of catchy melodies, while the setting of the piece, the French watering place, “ Beauville.” Jends itself to some highly effective scones.' Mr Ritchard, who is said to have excelled himself as the producer of “High Jinks,” will appear in the role of Dick Wayne (an explorer), and Madge Elliott has one of her most attractive parts a» Sylvia Dale. Leo Franklyn will make merry as Colonel Slaughter, “ a patient patient,” and Field Fisher will appear as Dr Robert Thorne, an American specialist in Paris. Marie le Varre, as Adelaide Fontaine, a runaway wife, makes one ot the hits of the piece in her song, “ Hear Wave.” Others in the cast are Frank Leighton, John Dobbie, Ethel Morrison, Arthur Clarke, Mary Rigby. Jerry Connolly, Lesley Crane. Charles Zoli, and Thelma Forrest. “ High Jinks ” will be presented again to-morrow night, when the season will definitely be concluded.