“WHITE HORSE INN”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22833, 18 March 1936, Page 6

“WHITE HORSE INN”

BRILLIANT MUSICAL COMEDY By virtue of its magnificently spectacular staging, its captivating music, an appealing story, and the generous provision of beautiful ballets and good comedy “White Horse Inn,” which is attracting crowded houses to His Majesty’s Theatre, is one of the outstanding entertainments presented t>y the J. C. Williamson Company in post-war years. The introduction of a revolving stage, a novelty which increases enormously the possibilities of spectacular staging, has given the production an especial interest, and appreciation has not been lacking of the action of the company in presenting in this centre the latest development in stagecraft. In the huge assemblage of artists that has been necessary for the successful presentation of “White Horse Inn ” a number of popular favourites appear, taking full advantage of the opportunities that are given to them in a musical comedy that has achieved an enormous public success wherever it has been seen. In the efforts of the principals the basis of a satisfying performance lies, but those who are seen in the ballets and choruses acquit themselves jso well that their work, even if it is of comparatively minor importance in the telling of the story, will create a lasting impression by reason of its precision and general effectiveness. Miss Romola Hansen, as Josepha, the proprietress of the White Horse Inn, gives a delightful performance distinguished by charm and sincerity and, when the occasion demands it, by a brightness and energetic enthusiasm that demand an appreciative response from the audience. In addition, she admirably renders the musical numbers allotted to her. Mr Herbert Browne, whose tenor voice is well known to patrons of Hie Majesty's Theatre, improves upon previous performances in the role of Sutton, and Mr Don Nicol carries the audience with him whenever he appears on the stage. There is an infectious verve about his characterisation, and his singing increases respect for his ability to strike the true note in musical comedy. Mr Alfred Frith’s humour is always acceptable, and he creates, without apparent effort, an atmosphere of light-heartedness which is in tune with the general brightness of the production. The other principals are all convincing, and the beauty and energy of the ballet girls give an additional appeal to theiT work.

The production is rich in music of a kind which, possessing the lightness required in a play of this type, is also of a kind that will ensure that its popularity will be maintained long after the company has departed, and “The Legionary," with its chorus of waiters, is one of the great successes of the presentation. On the spectacular side there is a bewildering succession of elaborately staged scenes as novel and striking in conception as in actual production. The box plans are at the D.I.C.