“RIO RITA” SEASON OPENS ON MONDAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18805, 6 July 1929, Page 9

“RIO RITA” SEASON OPENS ON MONDAY.

. Judging by the exceptionally heavy booking at The Bristol for the New‘ Opera House next week. Sir Benjamin and Mr John Fuller's “Rio Rita" Musical Comedy Company should have a. record season in Christchurch. Everybody is looking forward with keen interest to the arrival of this wonderful show. which has caused such a. sensatlon throughout Australia. and is new taking New Zealand by storm. It is only at very rare intervals that theatregoere in New Zealand have an opportunity of seeing such a magnificent pro—duction as “ Rio Rita" adequately in—terpreted by a first-class company, and a special orchestra. No pantomime could surpass “Rio Rita " tor sartorial splendour. It is American musical comedy at its best. There are a well defined love theme, delightful music. and an excellent storv told in settings «at temgestuous Mexico, with a peep into “ ay Paree" and Sunny Spain. The theme is handled adequately. tarnished with song gems erd haunting refrains. The numerous dances are woven into the movement of the play so that the continuity of the story i. never interrupted and can be followed right through the production. The personnel of the "Rio Rita" Company in—o]udee_ Miss Gladys Moncrlen'. hailed by cntlcs as the world's greatest musi—

cal comedy artist, and Miss Janetta Gilmore, a wonderful dancer and comedienne- Miss Gilmore's work, acaomething to be marvelled at. Dave Mallen and Charles Norman form the comdey_ duo, while Mr Leslie ~ the Rangers. their own polished performances, adding lustre to the general effect of the presentation. Australia has admittedly the finest pallet girls to he found anywhere, and the very cream of these was chosen for the " Rio Rita •• ballets. The result is three solid hours of gorgeous naD-onntrv