“THE DESERT SONG”

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22521, 1 October 1938, Page 10

“THE DESERT SONG”

♦ AN OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE EXCELLENT MUSICAL SHOW

Easily one of the best shows that have been seen in Christchurch for some years is the revival of “The Desert Song,” which the J. C. Williamson company presented at the Theatre Royal last evening. The piece is one of the soundest of the modern musical comedies, and the company uses to the full the opportunities presented by the good music and good book. The company made of the piece last evening a great success, and in certain respects the production has not been surpassed in this city, for at any rate many years. The feature of the show was undoubtedly the singing of the male chorus. There is considerably more in the music of “The Desert Song than in most productions of its type, as the continued popularity of the songs with the radio public indicates. So much is this so, that a company to handle “The Desert Song” with success must be above, ordinary ability to avoid tiresomeness. In this the company succeeds in the highest degree. All the chorus work is particularly good, the balance being beyond reproach, attack faultless, and, particularly with the male section, displaying a cleanness and vivacity that is a great pleasure to the audience. The outstanding effort of last evening’s presentation was undoubtedly the sequence in which Douglas Herald (Ali Ben Ali), Charles Zoli (Sid El Kar), and the Red Shadow (George Hancock), with the male chorus, sang the three songs, “Let Love Go,” “One Flower in Your Garden,” and “One Alone.” The work of soloists and chorus alike in this scene had about it a quality not always associated with light opera. The chorus work, in fact, would stand anywhere. The ballet and chorus work of the women of the show was, like the singing of the men, well above the usual standard. From beginning to end their performance was one of precision and harmony, and was altogether of a very high order. The performance was materially assisted by the dressing of both the stage and the performers. In recent years the dressing of the Williamson shows has been a feature that is appreciated, and “The Desert Song” does nothing to lower the reputation of the firm in this direction.

George Hancock as the Red Shadow gave a really magnificent performance. He has a robust and warm baritone voice of excellent quality, and adds to this an impeccable ability as an actor.. His part is not an easy one, demanding as it docs drama and humour both. He did not falter, and from his first entrance sang to an enthusiastic crowd. His singing in “One Alone” was superb. Diana Du Cane as Margot had the unenviable task of the heroine, a difficult one to make convincing in such a show, but her vivacity and sweet contralto voice immediately won her friends. Her acting was sound, and her singing of “The Desert Song” was excellent.

The comedy of the performance was in the capable hands of Don Nicol and Violet Carlson, as Bennie and Suzie. The two between them have almost all the comedy there is in the show, and their task is not easy. Both acted with a surencss of touch that was entirely admirable. Violet Carlson is an unusual type of comedienne with great ability and most charming personality. An outstanding performance in a musical comedy filled with good things was that given by the dancer, Gwen Brown, as Azuri. Her work was wonderfully good throughout, and her two main dances were a delight. She was able to handle the broken English required of her with complete assurance and conviction.

Among the lesser parts, Yvonne Banvard as Clementina gave a lively and most amusing characterisation. The work of the orchestra, under the direction of Fred Quintrell, was excellently balanced and completed an outstandingly good evening. There will be two performances of “The Desert Song’’ to-day, at 2 and 8 p.m. The season will close with the final performance on Monday night.