AMUSEMENTS AND MEETINGS

Wanganui Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15133, 30 January 1917, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS AND MEETINGS

MUSICAL COMEDY. FUN AT THE OPERA HOUSE. A GOOD NIGHT’S ENTERTAINMENT. Served with the proper ingredients and sauces—light music of popular quality, pretty choruses, and ballet nymphs in stunning ..costumes and a scenic investiture which hit the eye, the W isical Comedy Coy. which- appeared ;.pe' Opera Mouse for the mat time lasi evening in “To-Night’s the Night,” provided excellent opportunities tor the admirable cast to make the whole show a most enjoyable summer night’s revel. There is no doubt of the success of the J. C. Williamson new venture, every seat in the theatre being taken long before the rise of the curtain, and the nocking for “So Long, Letty,” which will be staged this evening is just as good. “To-Night’s the Night” is up-to-date musical comedy, the difference between which and vaudeville is very slight, indeed, and is becoming slighter. “To-Night’s jthe Night” furnishes a banquet of colour and lively action and the latest in slight but catchy music. The company gave an excellent account of themselves. The farce provides eight good parts, and then has a few to spare

for a band of comedians rich in talent. Miss Dorothy Bunton (June) has on this occasion an excellent “team mate” in Miss Maude Fane (Beatrice). Both were very chic, alluring, and insidiously coquettish. Miss Brunton’s singing was of a high order, especially with the male chorus. The men’s voices blended beautifully, the tenors being an outstanding feature. Miss Fane, too, scored a big hit with “Algernon, Go On!” Miss Connie Kdiss, the new AVilliamson comedienne, had a good character part in the role of the pseudo-French maid with the Cockney voice, and in her hands it was Heavily underscored with laughter. She wrung a lot of fun out of her song “The Great Big World Went Round and Round.” The Hon. Dudley Mitten of Mr Alfred Frith disclosed this versatile comedian as one of unusual type and great equipment. His comic song interlude “Murder” was one of the best things in a very happy evening. Messrs C. H. Workman (Montague) and Field Fisher (Robin) proved masterly comedians, and both Mr Wm Greene (Pedro) and Mr Fred Maguire seized with both nands the capital opportunities offered them. Smaller roles were played by Miss Marie Eaton, Miss Ethel Morrison, Miss Cecil Bradley, Mr Claude Bantock, Walter Champnev, and Mr Edward Warwick. The dance advertisements were good, particularly so the exhibition of eccentric steps by Mr Jack Hooker and Miss Gwennie Withers. Mr Harry B. Burton, musical director rightly interpreted the spirit of . the comedy with his orchestra.

“SO LONG. LETTY,” TO-NIGHT. “So Long, Letty,” tie second production this evening, has enjoyed a great popularity in Australia and New Zealand, running to seventeen weeks in Sydney, fourteen weeks in Melbourne, and in Wellington and Christchurch recently it was played to capacity business, hundreds being unable to obtain admission during the run of the play, so Wanganui playgoers can look forward to a rich musical treat this evening. “So Long, Letty” is said to be eminently attractive, and in the hands of the splendid cast which will interpret it, a ‘highly commendable redering may be anticipated. The play is notable for much fine music, charming costumes, magnificent ballets, and bright acting. Miss Dorothy Brunton, who will be making her last appearance here to-night, prior to her departure for America, will be seen in the title role of Letty Bobbins, Connie Ediss as Grade Miller, Marie Eaton as Chita Mann, Ethel Morrison as Amelia Cease, Cecil Bradley as Mabel, C. H. Workman as Tommy Bobbins, Field Fisher as Harry Miller, Alfred Frith as Billy Monday, and William Greene as Phillip Brown. During the performance Miss Madge Elliott and Jack Hooker will appear in several dances, including a Fox Trot and an eccentric dance. The box plan is now on view at Messrs H. I. Jones and Son’s. Big booking has taken place, so intending patrons are strongly advised to reserve their seats without delay.

"WHAT HAPPENED TO JONES.” The mirthful money-maker, “What Happened to Jones,” will be presented at the Opera House, Wanganui on Monday next, February sth, by that wellknown actor-manager, George Willoughby, who will be supported by a speci-ally-selected musical farce company. Speaking on the recent revival of the piece at the Princess Theatre, Mel bourne, the Argus says as follows; “What Happened to Jones” is one of those laughter-provoking farcical comedies whose revival will always be accepted with pleasure. Its presentation by George Willoughby and his musical farce company has, therefore, been enthusiastically received. George Willoughby renewed his pristine popularity as the audacious and irrepressible drummer who travelled in hymn books, with a side line in playing cards, and whose resourcefulness was never at fault, however awkward the combination of conflicting circumstances. Chased by the police, and taking refuge as a bishop, would certainly give rise to some amusing situations, and when ho comes in contact with a timid professor owning a domineering wife, and a stray lunatic, things naturally have got to happen, and they do. George Willoughby has been so long identified with the part of Jones that the interpretation thereof must veriiy come as second nature to him. He carries it through with a breezy nonchalence that is delightful. The crowded “house” simply rocked with laughter, and in these strenuous times one is grateful to the man who, with his exceptionally .clever company enables ns to do this.” On its arrival here, the actor-comedian will introduce some of the latest song novelties and freak dances which arc so interwoven in the plot as to make it appear if they had been in the original production. Well-known English, American and Australian artists have been selected by Mr Willoughby to interpret the farce, and judging from Press reports from the Commonwealth centres, a huge success has been achieved wherever the play has been presented. “What Happened to Jones” will be played for one night only, on Tuesday evening next; for the last night of the season Mr Willoughby '.will present another wellknown and successful farce comedy, "Why Smith Left Home.” This, like “ What Happened to Jones,” will also be interspersed with musical numbers and dances. The box plans will be opened at H. I. Jones and Son’s on Friday morning.