WELLINGTON NOTES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1502, 6 February 1919, Page 27

WELLINGTON NOTES.

“Lorgnette.”)

(By ‘

WELLINGTON, February 3. Local playgoers are showing their appreciation in great style of the performances of the J. C. Williamson New Musical Comedy Company by packing the house at each performance, and the Grand Opera House is no small theatre. The opening production, “Going Up,” w T as staged for six nights, and gave place last Friday to the successful comedy “Oh! Boy.” This new comedy is another of-those farcical pieces that savour as the medium for humour, nonsense, songs, and dances, but individualised by the decided charm of the composer’s melodies. They are of the lightest character, but piquantly scored and of haunting quality. As in “Going Up,” the principals, chorus, ballets and orchestra scored a decided success, and “Oh! Boy” is a sure enervative cure for the playgoer with an attack of the “blues.” After a four nights’ run it will give place to a two nights’ session of “The Three Twins,” which will be followed by a revival of “You’re in Love.”

One of the. attractions booked for the Dominion circuit of the Fuller vaudeville houses is Sam Rowley, the original “little man with the big voice.” It is some 13 years since Mr. Rowley left his native Australia to try his luck in the land of Uncle Sam, and with the exception of a brief holiday in the Commonwealth during 1912 has been appearing on the Sullivan and Considine circuit, which includes Sunday shows. Mr. Rowley was born in Sydney, and began his stage career as call-boy for J. C. Williamson and Maggie Moore in “Struck

Oil.” He made his debut in vaudeville at the old Alhambra Theatre, Sydney. Mr. Charles M. Berkeley is at present in Christchurch preparing the way for the approaching season of the J. C. Williamson New Musical Comedy Company.