“LEAVE IT TO JANE.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17757, 29 January 1926, Page 5

“LEAVE IT TO JANE.”

DASHING MUSICAL COMEDY. The box plans for the ten nights’ season of the J. C. Williamson New Musical Comedy Company are open at the Bristol Piano Company. Of the J. C. Williamson musical comedy, “Leave Tt to Jane,’” to be seen to-morrow night, at the Theatre Royal, the critic of the Wellington “Dominion” writes: “The company engaged in the production of the comedy is well up to- the J. C. Williamson standard, and there can.be little doubt that all Wellington will wish to become inoculated with the joy germ the comedy spreads. The music is bright and catchy, and there is always something doing to enchain thd attention and delight the eye, including the kaleidoscopic motion of a full singing ballet and chorus. Wellington had the pleasure of showing its appreciation of the clever comedy of Miss Dorothy Lena, an English comedienne, who, as Flora Wiggins, showed a remarkably fine vein of humour. Miss Elmer Gibbs also scored a success as Bessie Tanner, and her many intimacies with Stub Talmadge (Mr Leyland Hodgson) lost nothing in warmth and piquancy. Miss Mona Barlee, a tall brunette, was admirably suited as Jane, to whom everything is left. Mr Leyland Hodgson made Stub Talmadge one of the king-pins of the comedy’s' action. He is robustious in character, and lends hearty cheer to any song or situation in which he is concerned. One of the most grotesque characters seen ip musical comedy for quite a time is the Bub Hicks of Mr Athol Tier. Mr Tier has the silly comedy business down to a fine point, and is a wonderfully funny eccentric dancer. His big laughing hits were in the songs, 4 I Miss My Swiss’ (sung in absurd Alpine attire) and T Had to be Home by Nine.’ Capital character studies were given by Mr Jack Cannot as Dr Witherspoon, and Mr Harry Wotton as Hiram Bolton. Mr Percy le Fre was bright and clapper as Matty M’Gowan. the college trainer, and Mr F. M’Kay, as Howard Talbot, a college tutor, also contributed to the humour of the play. Mr Hugh Stevne. too, was capital m the scenes in which he was concerned as the Hon Elam Hicks. Mr Cecil Scott made Billy Bolton a very presentable young man. and acted the role with becoming seriousness. One cf the bright features of the play was the college concert, in which the old quartet Sweet and Low’ is charmingly sung by the full chorus, among other numbers. There is plenty of dancing.”

"Leave It to Jane” will be followed for the last five nights of the season by “Whirled into Happines. l .”