SPARKLING OPERETTA AT MAJESTIC THEATRE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19046, 15 April 1930, Page 7

SPARKLING OPERETTA AT MAJESTIC THEATRE.

The production of Oscar Straus's music at the Majestic Theatre last evening was an event, in the talkies. It was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience, which appreciated no less the splendid wav in which it was introduced into one of 'those delightful stories of love, romance and drama that never have failed to fascinate the average person, and never will as long as the love for storytelling lasts. The title selected for this piece. “Married m Holly wood.” hardly iits the subject. In view of the prominence with which Hollywood, with its stories of fame, and its romantic careers. has sprung, the title is a catchy one. hut it does not even suggest the brightness and the musical qualities behind this unique production. “A Story of Cay Venice,” or “The Romance of a. Balkan Kingdom," might have been a more appropriate title. Still, in respect to pictures, as well as in respect to persons. it may he asked, “What’s in n name?” After all, patrons of the pictures wish for something besides classical music, he it never so classical. In “Married in Hollywood.” they have some of that class of music, and much of the melodies and songs, the incidents and thrills, the gay costumes and the life and colour that enthral even the most

phlegmatic and please even the hypercritical. The cast was well selected by ( the director, but. it is not invidious to state that standing out conspicuously amongst the players is Miss Norma Terris. Without exaggeration. it may be said that Miss Terris. as —it* will be remembered that she was ; Magnolia in “The Show Boat”—is well worth going to see and hear. Here it should be explained that “Married in 'Hollywood” is based on one of Straus’s ! operettas, and that the songs in it are : not dragged in by their ears, but are -1 part and parcel, of the story. All of 'j them are melodious, and all have the s j quality of lingering in the memory with : very pleasing effects. Not far ! behind Miss Terris in singing and ; j acting is Mr .T. Harold Murray. He has j had a good training and he enjoys tlie 5 advantages of experience, having star- ! red in “Rio Rita,” and having been a. singing- star in Broadway for some -j eight years. Those who come 1 i after the principals are above the aver- • i age. There is a fairly large company - [ of them, and after them again, but con- ■ [ tributing in no small measure to the ; i success of the 'gay operetta, are 100 : ! members of the chorus and some 60 ' dancers, all doing finished and attractive : work. Spectacularly, the best scenes ; are in colours, artistic, impressive and Of a more serious interest last even--1 ing was a close-up chat by General • Smuts on his arrival in the United 1 States to attend the League of Nations » gathering. Mr Kellogg, Mr Hoover and ' other American statesmen appeared, and the Secretary of State explained the