HIS MAJESTY’S.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1398, 8 February 1917, Page 34

HIS MAJESTY’S.

J. C. WILLIAMSON’S BIG

ATTRACTION.

Quite one of the most important theatrical events which has happened in Auckland for some considerable time will be the appearance at His Majesty’s Theatre next Tuesday of J. C: Williamson’s New English Musical Comedy Company in four of the biggest and brightest musical comedy successes of two decades, “So Long, Letty,” “To-night’s the Night,” “The Girl in the Train,” and “High Jinks.” The first-named, which will be the opening piece, is described as a sparkling comic opera of music and colour compact, and also a triumph in daintiness; a gem in sweet music, restrained comedy, graceful dancing, and all-round charm of dressing and staging. There is’ a pretty little love idyll in it, and there are glimpses of the “smart set” life, with fashionable dressing and luxurious surroundings. Running through and around the story like a passion vine on a trellis of music are numerous songs and dances, and the whole action is carried through by talented artists, who are good to look upon. The whole piece is sweet and clean and refreshing. The second production of the 12 nights’ season will be the fascinating come opera, “Tonight’s the Night,” voted to be one of the gayest and brightest musical plays the Williamson firm has secured in a number of years. The music is tuneful, the dialogue smart and witty, the ballets dainty and there are a host of pretty girls. The idea of the play is piquant and quite original in conception, and it is said to develop in an entirely original manner. In this way, graceful dances, pretty women in novel styles of luxurious attire, backed by beautiful scenery and dainty, tinkling music, form elements in this clever theatrical confection. In “To-night’s the Night” it is said that the present corflbination are all seen at their very best. From a spectacular point of view, nothing more magnificent has been attempted on the stage than the effects presented in this play. The third production will be the wildfire musical comedy “The Girl in the Train,” and for the last nights of the season, the exhilarating musical extravaganza “High Jinks” will be revived. Dresses costing several hundreds of

pounds are worn through these four productions, and the many costumes that are displayed are the latest modes. A specially augumented orchestra under the baton of Mr. Harry Burton will be responsible for the music, the exigencies of which demand the services of the best orchestral players. The four plays will be interpreted by one of the strongest companies the Williamson firm has ever sent to the Dominion, and includes Dorothy Brunton, who has scored the biggest successes of her young life since she was last here; Connie Ediss (the celebrated London Gaiety Theatre comedienne), Maude Fane (last here as leading lady with the “Mother Goose” pantomime), Marie Eaton, Cecil Bradley, Ethel Morrison, Rene Connelly, Irene Jones, Violet Hooper, Messrs. Field Fisher, Charles H. Workman, Alfred Frith, William Greene, Claude Bantock, Walter Champney, Ronald McLeod, Edgar Warwick, Fred. Maguire and the two brilliant eccentric dancers, Madge Elliott and Jack Hooker. The plans are at Wildman and Arey’s.