RETURN OF “RED SHADOW”

Southland Times, Issue 23634, 8 October 1938, Page 11

RETURN OF “RED SHADOW”

REVIVAL OF “DESERT SONG” 1 POPULAR SUCCESS SCORED IN PRESENTATION The romance of the Moroccan desert with its savage and singing Riffe and French legionaries mingled - with the haunting melodies of Sigmund Romberg have made “The Desert Song one of the most popular musical comedies of recent years and its revival m the Civic Theatre last night was welcomed by a big audience. It was a revival which lost nothing of the original brilliance and memories of the previous production of the play in New Zealand were stimulated by new touches of fine artistry introduced by the talentea company. Equally as dramatic as “Balalaika,” “The Desert Song has a brighter atmosphere in the sundrenched desert and its exquisitely tuneful music make it a thoroughly delightful and spectacular entertainment. Musically it is perhaps Romberg’s finest work and the company which staged the revival last night was fully equal to the heavy task which it imposes on the voices. All the brilliance of the stage settings and lighting was seen and the company gave a polished performance.

Dominating the scene is the Red Shadow, French leader of a wild Rut band and apparently half-witted son of the garrison general, and as this fanciful figure George Hancock was again highly successful, giving a forceful performance. His rich and powerful voice was used to good effect in the familiar “Desert Song” and “One Alone. In this play, in which Rombergs facility for writing powerful male choruses is most highly developed, the Red Shadow has heavier duties than the singing of love duets and Mr Hancock was an able vocal leader in the Riff Song” and other stirring choruses. The romantic cause of the fall of the Red Shadow from his tribal leadership, Margot Bonvalet, gave Miss Diana Ducane splendid opportunities. Her representation of the romance-loving girl was most appealing and her singing was a delight. In the charming musical numbers in which her part abounded she scored the greatest success of her visit, particularly in “The Sabre Song and her duets with Mr Hancock. It was by Violet Carlson and Don Nicol that the bright comedy situations were chiefly provided and they again scored great successes with their infectious clowning. His Benjamin Kidd was perhaps Mr Nicol’s most effective performance in Invercargill and although Miss Carlson was given fewer opportunities than in “Balalaika she did a great deal to lighten the play. Another good comedy performance was given by Yvonne Banvard. To Charles Zoli went the credit of one of the vocal highlights of the production, his “One Flower in Your Garden” being a delight Douglas Herald was associated with Mr Hancock and Mr Zoli in the great male voice triumph early in the second act and their singing and that of the chorus made memorable one of the best pieces of semi-operatic writing in modem musical comedy. ,

It was again e very long cast of principals and the production was notable for some splendid characterizations. Notable among them were the performances of Gwen Brown, as the native dancing girl Azuri, .Clifford Cqwley, as Captain Paul Fontaine, and Gaston Merivale, as General Birabeau. The choruses and the ballets were even more effective than in ‘Balalaika” and the bright Moroccan scenes were made vivid in the admirable settings. The musical director, Mr Fred Quintrell, maintained a. fine balance between orchestra and singers.