“RIO RITA”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26175, 11 June 1946, Page 6

“RIO RITA”

GAY MUSICAL COMEDY GLADYS MONCRIEFF COMPANY Presented with the same brilliance of mounting, costuming, and lighting, and the same happy balance between vocalists, humorists, ballet, chorus, and orchestra, that made “ Viktoria and Her Hussar ” and “ The Merry Widow ” such acceptable offerings, “Rio Rita” was revived in His Majesty’s Theatre last night in a manenr which won still more praise for Miss Gladys Moncrieff and her fellow-members of the J. C. Williamson Royal Comic Opera Company. The old favourite was decked with some new frills, and principals, chorus, and ballet, transferred across the footlights the impression that perhaps they were at their happiest in this portion of their season. Miss Moncrieff, who has done so much in New Zealand to make the fiery Mexican girl one of the best-loved of musical comedy heroines, was again in excellent voice, and she sang the captivating melodies with consistent purity and richness of tone. The plaintive “ Don't Ask Me Why ” and “ If You’re in Love You’ll Waltz,” the latter taken up by the ballet in a moonlight scene of grace and .beauty, roused the audience to probably greater enthusiasm than anything else during the season. Ormonde Douglas, impressive as the American Ambassador in “Viktoria and Her Hussar," was well suited to the role of the valiant Texas ranger, and his robust baritone voice made him an admirable partner for Miss Moncrieff. His version of “ Following the Sun Around ” was a good performance, and he helped to make “ Rio Rita ” and the other virile numbers very rousing indeed. Herbert Browne played the straight acting part of General Esteban with the assurance to be expected of him. Whether singing or just walking about the stage, he is always confident and convincing. Miriam Lester’s Carmen was another attractive performance. Her “Poinciana” number was one of the most charming of the evening. Fred Murray, Bobby Mack, and Betty Sparks headed the comedy team, and they scored in some uproarious scenes. Messrs Murray and Mack found the combination of Aztec home brew and the former’s wife trouble a source of much hilarious concern. A diminutive miss teemed with Mr Murray in a tap dance sequence which confirmed the excellent reputation that this clever and versatile humorist enjoys.

Miss Gwen Bazeley’s highly competent ballet again contributed largely to the spectacular merit of the performance. Miss Bazeley’s clever arrangements and the lavish colour of their numbers have made these hardworking girls one of the outstanding attractions of the company. It is always a pleasure to watch Miss Bazeley herself. She belongs to the classic school of dancing, and her solo and duo work in “ Rio Rita " was up to her best standard. The chorus, too, added to its reputation, and the “ March of the Rangers ” earned enthusiastic applause for the male chorus. Mr Leo Parker’s orchestra was again a pronounced attribute to the company. The brilliancy of Mr Alan Chapman’s production methods is perfectly illustrated by the sparkling, streamlined quality of “Rio Rita.” There would be many in last night’s capacity audience who considered this the company's most spectacular performance of the season. “ Rio Rita ’’ will be presented again this evening and to-morrow afternoon and evening.