“CALL ME MADAM”

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27410, 24 July 1954, Page 2

“CALL ME MADAM”

THE STAGE

EXCELLENT MUSICAL COMEDY Musical comedies in Christchurch are as rare in Christchurch as warm days in July, but when shows do appear they are usually very good. “Call Me Madam,” with Evie Hayes, which opened in the Theatre Royal last evening, is one of the best.

“Call Me Madam” was immensely successful on Broadway in 1950 and later as a fi]m (it was here a year ago). Evie Hayes, who was last here four years ago with “Annie Get Your Gun,” plays the part of the diamond - in-the-rough ambassador, a role made famous by the huge-voiced Ethel Merman. Miss Hayes resembles Miss Merman in many ways, especially in ner ability to supercharge a show with enormous vitality and never for a* moment allow it to wilt. The story is set in Washington during the Truman reign, and continually pokes fun at the American political arena. » The show opens with Mrs Sally Adams (Evie Hayes), a Washington hostess.” seen taking the oath as United States Ambassador to the tiny mythical European country of Licfatenburg. From Washington, where to the imaginative theatregoer, every man seems to have a fat bank credit, a Cadillac, and a wife swathed in mink, Mrs Adams goes to the tiny State, ignores all protocol, wins ail hearts and loses her own to Lichtenburg’s Prime Minister, Cosmo Constantine (Rene Paul). Sally meddles lightly with the politics of the country, which, apparently, is renowned for its production of cheese and babies, so “Harry” orders her home. Back in Washington the story has a happy ending. *

“Call Me Madam” could not fail in some way to stimulate the gloomlest spectator with its topnotch tunes (which include “You’re Just in Love ” It’s a Lovely Day Today.” and the fascinating “They Like Ike”), gay scenery and costumes, polished ballet and dance numbers, and the hundreds of gibes at American politics. Tail, handsome, and immaculately Reqe Paul gives great dignity to his role as the very unamericanised Minlstbr - „ I ? e ’ with sid Lawson (as Kenneth Gibson), Graeme Bent (Pemberton Maxwell, a straight-laced embassy official, William Rees (Sebastian Sebastian), the three senators, the princess and others, all give Miss Hayes admirable support.