BRIGHT MUSICAL COMEDY

Taranaki Daily News, 26 June 1928, Page 11

BRIGHT MUSICAL COMEDY

GREAT SUCCESS OF “SUNNY.” All the world loves a comedy, and if it is music mixed with nonsense so much the better. But even that wise old man th* world is fickle. Once he courted comie opera and now he flirts outrageously with musical comedy. Possessed of all the post-war confidence of youth, musical, comedy subtly changes her charms and fascinations to suit the needs of the moment, determined that she will not so easily be supplanted. Thus it was that “Sunny” spread her brilliant plumage to the world in the Opera House last night, further to enmesh him in her toils through the glamour and the syncopations of ultra-mod-ern music, dancing and singing. The world responded by filling every seat, clapping vigorously and laughing in unrestrained delight.

Though it might be described as the wedding of light musical comedy with intensified revue, “Sunny” has most of the virtues of both and very few of the faults. Th© sole object is to please and stimulate the senses and to amuse. In the opinion of many theatregoers last night, “Sunny” was even more successful than “Archie” in this respect. The usual light story of crossed loves began outside a circus in Southampton and ended, happily, of course, in a poppy field in America. Some Americans, who had been comrades in arms in France, had very pleasant memories of a little Swiss girl who was sunny in character as well as in name. They met her again as a circus star in England. She and her father stowed away on board the steamer that was carrying the exsoldiers baek to America. Then the fun began, for Sunny, to overcome the immigration laws, had to marry a man already engaged, so that she might be with another whose future, but not his affections, were similarly pledged. An easy divorce, a readjustment, and the curtain dropped on a play that had been unquestionably popular. Lavish frocking, wonderful dancing, striking scenery and haunting songs were some of the features of “Sunny.” But the star that radiated most brilliance was sparkling, dainty Sunny herself. Winsome and always vivacious, Miss Elsie Prince confirmed and strengthened the impression she had made in “Archie” on Saturday night. Despite a cold that affected more particularly her speaking voice, she was a bundle of gaiety, and her songs “Who!” and “Do You Love Me!” were of the captivating kind that will linger long in the memory of those who heard them; their themes were freely used throughout the music of the piece. Miss Prince’s personality, the charming, dainty variety, permeated the whole comedy, and her appearance on the stage was always eagerly looked forward to.

Mr. Jimmy Goddert, as Jim Deering, was again the funny man, a most eccentric, but good-hearted gymnastic instructor. Sharing the honours of comedy with him was Mr. Charlton Morion, who filled the role of the supercilious fop Harcourt Wendell Wendell. His humour was a clever satire on the muchparodied English man about town. Mr. Leonard Rich played opposite Miss Prince as Tom Warren, and sang the solo part in “Sunny,” as well as duets with Miss Prince and Miss Elsie Parkes. His most pleasing song with the latter was “ When I Look Into Your Eyes.”

Miss Betty lambert played a seriocomic part well as Weenie Winters, a little girl in love, palpably for the first time. So far as songs are concerned, she will be remembered for her duet, “Two Little Bluebirds,” with Mr. Morton. Others with name parts were Mr. George Willoughby (Scigfried Peters, Sunny’s father), Miss Nelle Deane (Sue Warren), Miss Elsie Parkes (Marcia Manners), and Messrs Jack Phillips, Phil Kennedy and Royston McDonnell (ship’s officers).

The ballet girls wore striking costumes mainly of the jazzy type, and all showed themselves accomplished dancers in new and ingenious inventions that included -in various farms the modern caterpillar movements of arms, legs and body. The best were the Blaekbottom, led by Miss Prince, the Clown Dance, some skilful aerobatics, and tho Exercise Number. A clever specialty dance was given by Messrs Jack Smith and Rovston McDonnell.

Among the scenery, the representation of the deck of She Triumphant in the evening, with distant green and blue lights flashing on the horizon, was a remarkable piece of realism. Another was the poppy field seen through a red glow. To-night Sir Benjamin and Mr. John Fuller will conclude the season in New Plymouth with the production of “Mercenary Mary.”