“ MERCENARY MARY ” IS LIVELY PLAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18450, 28 April 1928, Page 10

“ MERCENARY MARY ” IS LIVELY PLAY.

Great interest is being manifested in the production of “Mercenary Mary,” to be presented at the New Opera House on Monday night. “Archie” and

“Sunny” have scored well-merited triumphs, and theatre-goers are looking forward with keen interest to see Elsie Prince, Jimmy Godden and Charlton Morton in "Mercenary Mary.” Better than ‘No, No, Nanette,’ ” is the verdict of a prominent Wellington critic after witnessing a performance of “Mercenary Mary” at His Majesty’s Theatre. This musical comedy, he continues,

“lives up to the wonderful reputation it made at the London Hippodrome. It has a brisker movement than 4 No, No, Nanette.’ The lyrics are decidedly good, and the melodies you want to whistle next morning.” The chief characteristics of “Mercenary Mary” are the novelty of its tunes and its remarkable unity of effect. The ideas are clever, and the action is even faster than “No, No, Nanette.” The big chorus and ballet go through unusual and attractive movements, while specialty dancers surpass themselves at each turn in a riot of whirlwind feats. “Mercenary Mary” is consistently tuneful, and the insidious refrain of “I’m a Little Bit Fonder of You” is certain to be heard all over Christchurch.

“ Honey, I’m in Love,” is another very taking air. “Thinking of You,” “Tie a String Around Your Finger” and “Give a Little. Get a Little,” are other numbers which help to make the music of this piece far above the usual standard. The stage settings of “Mercenary Mary” havo been modelled on those of the London Hippodrome production, and are vistas of bewildering beauty. From beginning to end, the production is a cyclone of comedy which will keep Christchurch theatre-goers laughing for many months. The box plans are nowopen at The Bristol Piano Company, where big booking is proceeding for the farewell week of this brilliant corppany. THE COMPETITIONS. More than ISOO entries have been received for the Competitions Society's 1928 festival, which will open in the Concert Chamber on Saturday, May 5. The entries include six dance or jazz bands, six steel guitar soloists, ten mouth-organ players and three junior choirs. Mr Bennett North, the elocutionary judge, has arrived in New Zealand from Sydney, and will be in Christchurch next week. The official opening ceremony will be held next Saturday, when there will be children’s programmes at the afternoon matinee and evening concert. “DELIVERED—PIPE.” “Why should we care whether tobacco is raised in the Sahara or on an iceberg or whether it comes packed in cork or cast iron containers?” writes Mr K. M. Crob. “I buy my tobacco because of the way it tastes in the pipe. That is why I use Edgeworth.” The producers of Edgeworth are of course vitally interested in its pedigree, in its blending, its curing, in every detail of its development. But all their work and experiment and study are devoted to one object—that Edgeworth proves its worth, that the ideal tobacco for so many smokers is delivered as these smokers want it—to the, pipe. 587® 1

LATE WIRELESS. By “AERIAL.” The prospects of good wireless weather during the week-end are not very : bright—judging by the state of the ether last night—but it is just possible 1 that the arrival of really rough outdoor conditions will disperse the pre--1 sent bad state of affairs and give listeners an opportunity of enjoying good reception. j.j *.j j.j Last night’s reception of New Zealand stations was better than on Thursday evening, whereas the Australian stations were noticeably weaker. Static was very bad and fading was worse—quite sufficient to lead dnyone to imagine that their batteries or valves on transformers or something had “ gone west.” j.j J.J Mention should have been made in last night’s notes of 2YA’s very successful “ stunt ” in relaying from Thorndon railway station the. children’s farewell to “ Uncle Jasper.” It was very well done indeed. Several correspondents have drawn attention to the unearthly row that clutters up the ether on many evenings, utterly spoiling reception of all ' distant stations operating on from 250 ! to 350 metres. The writers agree with “ Aerial’s ” comments on the subject and suggest two possible sources of the trouble. Both have been suspect for some time and an investigation is being conducted during the week-end with the object of, if possible, definitely locating the source. If that can be done an . attempt will be made to have the noise eliminated. Writing on April 25, Mr A. R. Gardiner, Purau, reports: “ There is better daylight reception of IYA now. On Tuesday, at 3.30 p.m., IYA came in with very fair loudspeaker volume, equal to about R 7, and at 10 o’clock this morning at about a strength of R 4 on the ’speaker.” (3YA is taken as giving a volume rated at Rlo.—“Aerial.”) ‘ But the announcer’s description of what took place round the Cenotaph was spoilt by howling valves. There must have been hundreds of them, though they nearly all gave it up about. 11, when the service took place. There J was occasional static. The sermon was tvery line. I have tried a new earth—-

an old 12-gal copper buried about sft in the ground with some 7-20 wire soldered to it in different places. It seems to have made daylight reception better on the Counter phase S. 3YA has perked up again the last few days—in volume.”