“THE DESERT SONG.”

Wairarapa Age, 28 July 1930, Page 4

“THE DESERT SONG.”

“TALKIES” AT THE OPERA HOUSE. SUCCESSFUL OPENING PERFORMANCES. In selecting that bright and melodious musical comedy, “The Desert Song” for the first “talkie” production at the Opera House, the management made a happy choice and one that, judging by the full attendances on Saturday afternoon and evening, will be very popular. The sound reproduction and synchronisation apparatus is highly efficient and from the outset of the opening performance gave (firstclass results. The finest notes of individual singers, the splendid choruses with which “The Desert Song” abounds and the orchestral accompaniment, as well as the dialogue of the comedy, were all perfectly producefl. With its exotic story of romance anfl adventure in French Morocco, and its delightful music, which is now widely familiar, “The Desert Song” enjoys an evergreen popularity. The oppor*tunity of enjoying it as it is now being presented at the Opera House in sound and in brilliantly spectacular scenes, is one that should not he missed. The central figure of the comedy, “The Red Shadow,” is a young Frenchman who becomes, in a spirit of revolt against ill-treatment hy his commander, the leader of a body of Riff brigands. Pretending, amongst his own people to be a half-wit, he contrives with great address to lead a double life, but finds himself terribly embarrassed when his own father is appointed to the command of the French forces in Morocco. Ultimately the “Red Shadow” contrives to solve all the problems thus created and at the same time to carry a tempestuous and romantic love affair to its happy conclusion. The comedy has given the producers of the sound-film opportunities, of which they have made full use, of presenting a varied array of spectacular scenes in camp and palace. Scenes in the open desert, with troops of brigands and soldiers striving for the mastery, alternate with others of Oriental luxury, in which the ladies of the ballet, who are both numerous and beautiful, revel in their graceful art. There is a gorgeous harem scene and others of a somewhat similar character have their setting in a cafe in which a pretty but viperish half-casto. who has an important part to play and plays it well, is loader of a dancing troupe. All roles in the comedy arc admirably filled notably those of the two principals. With his clever acting and splendid tenor voice, John Boles is at all times thoroughly effective in the part of the Red Shadow, and Carlotta King, a beautiful girl with an exquisitely sweet and clear soprano voice, is a heroine to charm all hearts. “The Desert Song” will be presented for three more nights. The box plan is at Vane’s. 1