"THE DESERT SONG"

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22520, 30 September 1938, Page 10

"THE DESERT SONG"

* FIRST PERFORMANCE TO-NIGHT Commencing to-night the Williamson "Balalaika" company will present at the Theatre Royal, a brilliant revival of the much-loved musical play "The Desert Song." This highly romantic tale of ardent desert love in Morocco with* its concomitants of danger, espionage and intrigue, has always been a favourite with theatre-goers and in presenting the 1938 revival, J C. Williamsons fully believe that it is one of the best achievements in a long list of happy productions. Ranked as one of the biggest stage attractions produced during the lasi 10 years, it is a very colourful production, with lovely chorus work, gay settings, and adventurous romance—ol the Red Shadow, that mysterious desert personality whose coming means death to traitors, and Margot, the lovely French girl. George Hancock gives a dashing performance as the Red Shadow, excelling even his fine performance of Count Peter Karagin in the "Balalaika" season. Co-starring with Mr Hancock is another English, performer, Diana Ducane, who revels in the glorious chances of the role of Margot. Such favourites as Don Nicol and Violet Carlson, in the excrutiatingly funny parts "f Benjamin Kidd and Susan, need no introduction; their team-work assures consistent humoui and variety. Gwen Brown as Azuri, the siren dancer; Yvonne Banvard in a suitable role; Gaston Mervale in r military role of importance, are amor the other players. "The Desert Song" season will be limited to three nights. There will be a matinee performance to-morrow afternoon. The season will end on Monday night.