FROCKING AT THE THEATRE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18643, 21 December 1928, Page 7

FROCKING AT THE THEATRE.

A scent of the salt sea breeze and the mystery of the Orient combined with good effect to give a pleasing

- flavour to “ Hit the Deck,” the nautical 1 musical comedy that was played before t a large and enthusiastic audience at the *- Theatre Royal last night. The variety : of the scenes on land and sea, in Erig--3 land and in China, gave great scope lor t originality and provided an excellent 3 vehicle for the art of Miss Annie Croft, 1 Miss May Beatt\ r and Gus Bluett and 1 their capable assistants. There was • pienty of opportunity for the spectacular and the scenic effects and the ' frocking were made the most of and 3 were most distinctive throughout. Dis- ■ crimination in colour was shown in • the selection of frock and some really harmonious schemes and scenes were ' achieved. The chorus and ballet 3 throughout looked exceedingly well in 3 a succession of changes, always refin--1 ed and always becoming. In xhe ' Chinese setting the brilliance of the 1 costumes made a most spectacular In the first act Miss Annie Croft. : as Looloo Martin, the fascinating little ' owner of the Sailors’ Coffee House, was ; wearing a simple little sleeveless frock of blue and white checked voile, the ’ skirt cut circular, and a small white muslin apron. Later she changes to 1 another frock of pale cream crepe de i chine, lightly patterned in green with t an uneven hem and a border of green ' picot edged taffetas cut in scallops, t and a collar and long revers of plain 1 material piped with green finishing l with a bow at the waist. Her next • change was to a charming suit of peri--3 winkle blue crepe de chine, the cor- • sage cut to a coat effect with a jabot ' and touches of blue and white spotted silk on the pockets, yoke and cuffs. 1 The hat worn with this frock was of ) the same blue with a turned up brim : and a brilliant buckle in front. The evening gown she wore next was of " white tulle, the flounced skirt falling ' long at the back. being effectively trimmed with motifs of ostrich feathers 5 and lightly studded with rhine-stones. ' In her next appearance, which was in the Chinese scene, her dainty frock of ‘ primrose yellow georgette was fashion- : ed with a full circular skirt, the sleeves from the elbow falling circular also, and 1 embroidered with japonica pink ribbon and bead trimmings. Her hat to tone, of fine Swiss straw, was turned up back and front and wide at the sides, with a large rose with long gold tissue streamers held gracefully be- • neath the brim. Miss May Beatty, as Magnolia, a coloured servant, was most popular I throughout. Her costumes, exaggerat- [ ed in every way, added to her character part. Throughout the evening she

i received continued applause when ever » she appeared. > Miss Mary Rigby, as Charlotte Payne, - wore several beautiful gowns. In the . first act her tailored suit of fine white - cloth was relieved with a belt tie and : smart hat of jade green. Her next , change was to a frock of eau de nil l tulle, the pointed bodice of taffetas be- ; ing heavily trimmed with brilliants and . silver sequins, and the long skirt was : formed of layers of green shaded tulle. | In the next act she wore a frock of . apricot taffetas, the skirt fashioned with i layers of vandyked frills, which formed ] ■ the uneven hem-line. A cape collar of ; tulle bordered with the taffetas gave j : a most effective finish. The hat worn 1 i with this frock was of straw to tone. Miss Ivy Parker, as Pamela Carr, : wore a gown of lime green georgette, ; : with long side drapings and a full-width 1 • panel of the material bordered with gold fell from shoulder to hem. She , wore a turban of green, swathed with 1 : gold. In her next appearance she ' ; changed to a gown of gold lame and : lace, the lace falling diagonally from 1 : one side of the swathed bodice. A touch j : of colour was given by a peacock blue 1 i feather chou worn at the shoulder : and one side of the waist-line. Another i smart gown was of ivory satin with ; i sun-ray panels appliqued in black, drap- ' , ed to one side, and a black and white i scarf collar falling from one shoulder. ; Her wide-brimmed hat of black velvet ; had a white rose beneath the brim at one side.