“SO THIS IS LOVE”

Taranaki Daily News, 5 August 1930, Page 9

“SO THIS IS LOVE”

A JOLLY MUSICAL COMEDY. A jolly comedy, abounding with catchy song numbers wound round a happy plot, “So This is Love” was presented by J. C. Williamson to an appreciative audience at the Opera House, New Plymouth, last night. The way in which the performance was received was indicative of the fact that live “flesh and blood” show has not been relegated to the past. There are times, it appears, when people do not want to merely see the actors and hear them talk and sing, but want to know they are present. Perhaps it is the uncertainty. Those artists might do something unexpected, might e/en make a mistake, not that they did last night. Anyway they were human and perfectly natural. It v.as a pleasing performance. Necessarily simple, the plot does not, however, lack interest. It is a web of pretty love stories heightened by the rollicking comedy of Clem Dawe, his versatile sparring partner Kathrine Stewart, and Bobby Gordon. A bachelor millionaire and the catch of the season the Hon. Peter Malden (Michael Cole) has disappointed his large circle of admirers by falling in love with his secretary, Pamela Stuart (Betty Eley), who, however, will not accept his offers’ She feels that everyone will think her a gold digger and a social climber. Peter is insistent and, aided and abetted by one Hap J. Hazzard (Bobby Gordon), an American “fixer” and his broker, Potiphar Griggs (Clem Dawe), familiarly known as Potty, he conceives the idea of pretending to lose all his money through plunging on the exchange. The ruse has the desned effect, all his friends, including a most ardent admirer, Kitty Carleton (Marie Eaton), deserting him. Pamela and he become engaged and all goes well until the next morning, when Hap rushes in with the unwelcome news that Brazilians,’ the stock on which Peter is supposed to have lost, have soared. Wallowing in their evil doings the guilty trio are hard put to keep the secret. This offers ample scope for comic relief. When Kitty overhears a conversation ilie scheme is laid bare and Pamela declares the engagement off. The plot meanders on until Peter’s trustee, a pompous person with a crusty air, arrives and after several misadventures informs Peter that he is in truth ruined. There is a re-union with Pamela and finally it is found that oil has been located on the property of the Persian Real Estate trust, whose shares were purchased to give reality to the deception of Pamela. Happy re-unions! Millionaires, love, oil and the stock exehiince, all the ingredients of a bright modern romance.

i The orchestra under the direction of Gregory Ivanolf, an accomplished violinist, accompanied the singing in a rollicking manner. There were catchy numbers including “Just Suppose,” “I m a Little Bit Shy,” “All the Time” and “So This is Love,” and they were tunefully sung. In a brilliant dance “Mardi Gras” Moua Zeppel, as lithe and graceful as a leopardess, swirled and eddied around the stage with her partner, John Robertson.