“MERCENARY MARY”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 417, 27 July 1928, Page 15

“MERCENARY MARY”

ON WITH THE DANCE ELSIE PRINCE AT HER BEST “Mercenary Mary,” a musical comedy in two acts and three scenes. Book by Isobel Leighton and William B. F.riedlander; music by Friedlander and Con Conrad. Presented last evening at St. James Theatre by Sir Benjamin and Mr. John Fuller. Cast: —■ Patrick O'Brien . . . Royston McDonnell Norali Betty Lambert Jerry Warner Charlton Morton Peter Webster .... Leonard Rich Joan Somers Xellie I><-an Christopher Skinner . . - Jimmy Godden Sir Henry Somers . . Geo. Willoughby Mary Elsie Prince Grandpa Skinner Phil Kennedy Phyllis Webster Elsie Parkes “Mercenary Mary” is a delightful frolic, even if its various authors christened it a musical comedy. Every member of the company which has so admirably set the high standard one will expect from the new theatre periodically forgets the story and goes on with the dance. This is just as it should be for light afterdinner entertainment particularly when those dances are wedded to delightful melody. And “Mercenary Mary” is melodious. There are haunting tunes which will last for more than a day, syncopated choruses which demand a dance, and sentimental little airs which repetition can never stale. Add picturesque frocks and still more picturesque scenes, lovers parted and an unexpected fortune, and there you are.

Mary is not so very mercenary: she merely relied on the good advice given by a careful mother. When a rich uncle took exception to her husband she called in a boy friend and demanded that he compromise her to obtain the necessary divorce. By this scheme she proposed to win back the fortune and re-marry the husband. It all sounds extremely simple, but the compromise ended in disaster, for one act. But we must not forget to thank the authors for that compro- ' mise. It provided material for Miss [ Prince’s best performance during the present season. Those folk who take umbrage at a little make-believe inebriation on the stage should see Miss Prince’s performance. It is devastatinglv funny. Not a movement is exaggerated, not an action is grotesque; just a delightful tottering about and a series of amusing situations which leave one quite limp. Mr. Godden leaves his agility in the dressing-room for the eveping and becomes as dismal as dismal Desmond. Added to this he renounces the letter "R” from his vocabulary, and puts up a remarkable performance without it. In his dismal mood Mr. Godden is even more amusing than when he is distributing his usual brightness. Miss Dean has command of most of the song hits of the piece, and never loses an opportunity to make the most of them. Her wardrobe again takes precedence over that of the others. Mr. Morton is as nimble as usmtl, and his engaging manner continues to place him high among the light comedians. Mr. Rich exhibits :%'at certain liveliness which pleasure to watch him. and Mr. Willoughby bears his title as thought he had really earned it. Dancing, as we mentioned previously is one of the strongest features of

“Mercenary Mary.” Mr. McDonnell and Miss Lambert open the performance, as it were, with some fleetfooted tripping. Miss Devertau and Mr. Jack Smith are more acrobatic than graceful, though nowadays such dancing is required to stir the pulse of the audience. Mr. Rich and Miss Parkes are best in simultaneous numbers, and gave us one of the slickest and quickest few minutes of the evening. Miss Prince (need we mention it?) could dance on an egg without disturbing the yolk. And when “Mercenary Mary" lias won back her husband and everyone else is preparing to live happily ever after, we remember the hilarious scene in which Mr. Morton is attempting to compromise Miss Prince while Mr. Godden periodically discovers and frustrates them. It is the riclfst piece of comedy in that entertaining musical production which is to end tHo present season of the new St. [ James.

I At Jolson years ago, while playing i vaudeville in Brooklyn, U.S.A., was doing a white-faced turn, which was ! going well. He should have been extremely happy, but he He j could win applause but that didn’t satisfy him. He wanted to create laugh - j t er . -How' can I make them laugh?” ■ came from him like a moan to his i old darkey dresser, who was laying out his clothes. 'Huh,” smiled back the I old man, * Why don’t you black up, j Mr. A 1 ? We folk are thought to be j funny.” Jolson grasped the idea, tried lit that night, and never looked back. !He treats his character with sincerity j which is strongly reflected in his Warj nor Bros. Master Picture. “The Jail I linger.”