"GOING UP"

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 103, 25 January 1919, Page 8

"GOING UP"

CATCHIEST OF MUSICAL '= COMEDIES "Going-Up," a, musical farce founded on James Montgomery's comedy "Tho Aviator." Boole and lyrics by Otto Haiierbach; music by Louis A. Hirseh. Cast:— Miss. Zoimc Dorothy Purdell' John Gordon Harry Wootou .T. 11. Douglas ......... George Willoughby Mrs. Douglas Maudo Beatty Jules Gaillard William Greeno Grace Douglaa Grade Laver6 Madeline Manners Cecil Bradley Hopkinson Brown Cyril liitchards llobert Street Alfred Frith JameH Brooks Fred Maguiro Sam Itobjnsou :.... Field Fisher Louis Jack Hooker

•. For nearly tliree months playgoing Wellington nas waited for a real show,, and when it is stated that the waiting was worth 'while it will, be understood that "Going Up," presented to a packed audience at the Grand Opera Houbo last evening by the Williamson Musical Comedy Company, ranks a degree or two higher than any entertainment of its class presented by this management for a, long time past. Tho play radiates rousingi, healthy fun.to tho accompaniment of a musical score that tickles and s\Yays and charms. in a manner wholly*irresistible to anyone with the rhythmic sense in the least" degree developed. .For once, too, there is a rollicking farcical story sufficiently convincing to keep one waiting for the denouement, atid that denouement forms as jumpy a third act as the most blase theatre-goer could desire. .

The trouble is all brought about by Hopkinson Brown telling the guests: at a summer' hotel that his friend Robert Street, who has written a "best seller" with an aviation interest,'is actually a (lying man, and that the pasMge.in the novel describing his first flight was an. actual experience; Street, is made miserable by the open idolatry of every female on the premises, which are thick .with.-fascinating:girls witlr wonderful up-to-the-moment frocks;' Spurred on hy the egregious ■ ass Brown, Street in a. weak moment admits the-false impeachment. Among the guests at .the. hotel is Mr. J: H; Douglas, who would, bet on tlio length' of'his mother's funeral, and who,-finding a real flyer, Jules Gaillard, on the premises, wagers with all hands that lie : can fly •higher,' further, and . quicker than Street. 'As the wagers are eagerly accepted Street is forced into accepting, the challenge, and after a screamingly, funny lesson from a dropsical mechanic, he undertakes the test ilie»htj full of trepidation, and succeeds m- landing home a winner not only, of tho -wagers made', but of tlje girl of his heart. This brief outline of the plot does not .include the wealth of comedy trjmmings which keep' the : audience in a state of sustained giggle and glowing excitement to the very etid. In the final act a, fako aeroplane is. used effectively, and a clever illusion shows the ghost of a machine "aspiring the clouds" in the best imaginative style.- Following this Street's friends, who. are in the know .as to his incapacity, follow the. flight with the aid of a plan of the country, and a whirling tolegraph service. Bulletins from ■ various points, with- the excitement of the crowd, created an atmosphere electric with excitement, which only ends .when Street is carried in shoulder-high, and, quietly eyeing his. worsted competitor, says: "And where did you get to '

The company presents a cast that fits tho bill to a" nicety; and the parts are such as to malio for a fair division of the spoils, which count behind, tho footlights. Mr. Alfred Frith exhibited finely-restrained drollery in tlie ' role of Street. He has the capacity of being, continuously ..funny without labour— a raro and beautiful'virtue in a comedian. Another■ sound comedy, per?., formanco is the elephantine mechanic,' played with unction by Mr. Field. Fisher, whose facility in make-up ia' always so outstandingly ingenious. An old friend arrives back in MrT Geotgo Willoughby, who figures as rotund and dapper as* ever as the chronic puuter,. and gets home in his one bright song, "I'll Bet You." A charming newcomer is Miss Gracie Layers,"who plays with much girlish charm tho role of Graco. Douglas. Miss . La vers is the merest slip of a girl, with a gramophonic but not at all uupleasing little voice. .She exerts a certain witchery in her acting- and appearance that may be. attributed more to personality than experience. Her chief vocal hits were i the haunting numbers "If You Look Into Her Eyes," and the dancing jingle "Tickletoe," in which a pony ballet scores daintily. Miss Cecil Bradley figured attractively, and sang well as Madeline Manners, who provides a full quota of the lore, gush without which no musical comedy could hold up its end. Miss Bradley (with Mr. Cyril -Ritchnrds) scored in the tunoful duets "I Want a Determined Boy," "Do It For Me," and the pretty sotig "A Little Birch Canoe, charmingly old-fashioned in style, with a nicely-harmonised chorus and delight-, ful accompaniment. Miss Dorothy I'urdell looked well and acted smartly as the telephone girl. Another oldtime favourite reappeared _ (as "rs. Douglas) in tho person: of Miss Maude Beatty (a former Pollard' star), and did all that was required of her gracefully. Her ringing voice-was valuable in several of tho ensembles.' Mr. William Greene, in brown leather, played the airman Gaillard with exhiliarating dash, and made the biggest vocal hit, .in his rattling "Going Up" song jii thefirst act, as an adjunct to which - tho chorus form, a moving airship'pageant.Mr. Cyril Ritchnrds figured gracefully as Ilopkinson Brown; a young man of to-day, dancing with airy adroitness.. It is rather sad tliat ho has. to sing. Mi'. Fred, Maguire and Mr. Henry ■\Vooton, aro also satisfactory in responsible roles. "Going Up" is very well mounted, and elaborately dressed. . this latter respect it should pro\c, a lavishing attraction for the .ladies. Mr Harry Burton controls an orclies-' tra that was a pleasure to hear.. "Going Up" is predestined to attract big business during the coming week,; on tho grounds of its innate intrinsic eliavin and'"zip."