HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1446, 3 January 1918, Page 32

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

J. C. WILLIAMSON’S MUSICAL COMEDY COMPANY. “YOU’RE IN LOVE.” The J. C. Williamson New English Musical Comedy Company are hitting to a nicety the mood of huge holiday audiences at His Majesty’s Theatre this week with “You’re in Love,” the exhilarating play by the authors and composers of “High Jinks” having its New Zealand premiere on Boxing Night. “You’re in Love” is no Sunday school text. The motif is somewhat risky. Hobby Douglas and Georgiana, bent on marrying each other, have their plans frustrated by Georgiana’s guardian, a grass widow, who will only consent on the bridegroom signing a year’s contract to abstain from kissing his bride except in the presence of the guardian. The contract is duly signed and the muchharassed pair set off on their honeymoon on board the steamer “H-gh Hope” with the chaperone and bridesmaids. A sleep-walking bride, a vigilant aunt and an ardent husband conspire to strike the top notes of embarrassment and hilarity, while the dialogue is tempered with lilting scores and captivating dances. Miss Maude Fane with her piquant charm and beautiful singing voice is wholly delightful as Georgiana, making the hit of the production in her number “I’m Only Dreaming,” sung while swinging over the auditorium on the ship’s boom. Much merriment is caused every evening by the efforts of male admirers in the stalls to gain possession of her dainty shoes as she passes over their heads, and, needless to say, the enchanting artist is always deprived of these souvenirs. “Day Dream Isle” and “Naughty! Naughty! Naughty!” are two other alluring numbers of Miss Fanes. Miss Connie Ediss, breezy and buoyant, with a style peculiarly her own, rattles through the part of the marplot with gusto and scores hearty laughs at her tirades against marriage. Miss Cecil Bradley, the pretty little Australian who has lately forged to the front, makes a bewitching Dorothy, acting with spirit and singing her numbers engagingly. Mr. Fred. Maguire is brimful of life as Lacey Hart and uses his pleasing baritone voice to admirable effect in solo and ensemble work, “Loveland,” in association with Miss Maude Fane, evoking a vociferous recall. Mr. William Green makes a handsome bridegroom and also sustains the vocal requirements to a satisfactory degree. Mr. Field Fisher and Mr. Alfred Frith thoroughly explore their comedy parts, the former as the tip-seeking boatswain, and Mr. Frith as the muchmarried curate. A specialty turn is the “Sailor Dance” of Messrs. Jack Hooker and Tom Preston, the nimble pair being encored again and again for their clever work. Miss Madge Elliott is warmly applauded for her artistic interpretation of the “Rose” dance, and with Mr. Hooker makes

the “Tally Ho” duo an outstanding pleasure. The ballets are original and picturesque and the dressing alluring. “You’re in Love” will be played for the last time on Monday night, being replaced on Tuesday by “Canary Cottage.” “CANARY COTTAGE” ON TUESDAY. In Melbourne the critics took exception to some of the scenes in “Canary Cottage,” but this did not detract from its success. The Sydney papers on the other hand lauded the musical treat and the “Evening News” there printed: “There is only one possible disappointment in store. If the public except to be shocked, as was the Melbourne critic at the first production in that city, they will have first to experience a considerable, change of heart. Practically the only daring feature is the colour scheme. For the rest Sydney folk are not likely to take objection to the diverting, if promiscuous, philanderings of the principals in the free-for-all region of musical extravaganza.” Allied with the humorous story of “Canary Cottage” is the bizarre colouring and dressing. Miss

Connie Ediss wears one of the most striking costumes seen on the stage. It is the underdess of a burlesque crinoline in which she sings “The More I See of Men the More I Love My Dog.” “SO LONG LETTY.” After five performances of “Canary Cottage,” that most fascinating of musical comedies, “So Long Letty,” will be revived for the last night of the season, Monday, January 7. The doings of the two wives and husbands who changed places are appetisingly told, and a night of jollity is promised. Miss Maude Fane takes the part Miss Dorothy Brunton played in the original production, and Miss Cecil Bradley is substituted for Miss Marie Eaton.