"OH, BOY!"
RACY AMERICAN MUSICAL FARCE "Oh, Boy!" a musical farce in two nets. Music by Jerome Kern. Book nnd lyrics by Guy Bolton and P. G. Wodehouse. Cast :— Judge Daniel Carter ... George Willoughhy George Budd Fred Maguire Jim Marvin William Greene Briggs ....: Field Fisher A Club Waiter Freddie Wallace Detective Simms Alfred Frith Jackie Sampson Cecil Bradley Lou Ellen Carter Gracie Lavers Mrs. Carter ■ Flossie Lusk Jane Packard ;. Dorothy Purdcll Lottie Llmmit Rcni Jones Miss Penelope Bud't Maud Bea'.ty "Oh, Boy!" which van the Bag up for the first time in New Zealand at the Grand. Opera House last ovening-, is a rippling anil whimsical concoction conceived in the spirit of the gayest raillery anent love and the marriage vow. Many of the lilies mean a laugh. Most of them concern an alleged mystery as lo which lady possesses a mole on her back, and who was the wearer of a certain suit of pink pyjamas in the room of George Budd on his wedding night. With ever-increasing boldness the writers manage to sustain their atmosphere, all the most comical' situations being those concerning the endeavours of this one or that in the . cast to cover up tho tracks of their pliilundcrings with the fair. The one exception is the scene in which an old Quaker lndy becomes tijisy tin champagne, drunk under the impression that it is lemonade, a slab of cheap and coarse humour that leaves a nasty taste in the mouth, unless one accepts tho giddy doctrine that musical comedy should' be given unbridled licenso. "Going Up" was a sample of clean, healthy musical comedy full of good things. "Oil, Boy!" is a going down .again to tho tnwrdy nuishiness of much that is airily (Kiggcstivo and indelicate. George Budd Ims secretly married Lou Carter, nnd as the latter has to return home on their wedding night, George is disconsolate, but his inventive friend .Tim Marvin has an encounter with ii distracted woman who. is evading the police (for having struck a man in tho eye in a hotel), and places her in George's room, where sho dons his wife's alluring night attire. On the arrival of the comic detective sho forces George into saying that she is his wife, and thereby causes complications. On the return of his wife the next morning tho escapee is represented by-George as his Quaker aunt, but the old lady herself turns up, whilst Miss Carter's father recognises in the lady of tho pink pyjamas a lady friend of questionable habits, finally, in tbe x Country Club's rooms, Jim Marvin comes to tho rescue of tho plot by proposing to the pseudo Mrs. Budd, leaving the track clear to patch up things with the little lady who only wants to bo an old-fashioned wife. The comedy is given a glittering setting, the pretty girl element is very strong, and the musical score tinkles along merrily enough in the gcnnral hilarity that pervades the piece. As in "Going Up," the company is perfectly sound. Miss Cecil Bradley as Jackie Sampson (fleeing from the funny detective) has a role which fits her to a nicety. Her acting pulses with meaning, and she sings such ballads as "A Pal Like You" and "Till the Clouds Tfoll By" with full-bodied enjoyment. She was also fairly clever in the bui'lcsy- 10 duet (with Mr. Greene). "Nesting 'lime in Lyall Bay." Mr. William Greene, with his likeable personality and clea icut, energetic methods, has never done anything better than Jim Marvin. Jlis acting is vital, and tho vast amount of enthusiasm he throws into his work lias the comforting reward of appreciation. That wistful little lady, Miss Gracie Lavers, again shows her native ability in giving a winning performance as Lou Carter. Her song, "An Old Fashioned Wife," is the best, numb.er intho comedy, but the daring ballet which accompanies the final stanza was in doubtful taste. Her dainty singing of "Words are Not Needed" als'o a feature of the bill. That very capable and diverting comedinn, Mr. Alfred Frith, as Detective Simms (in search of tho lady of the mole), was extremely humorous ill an effortless manner, and Mr. Field Fisher was delightful in the broad character part of Briggs, the lemon in the. salad. Mr. Fred Masuire was the distressed George Budd, and made much of the comedy of the part, though not strong in his vocal equipment. Mr. George Willoughby made an admirable Judge Carter, and Miss SI aud Beatty (tewed comically as Aunt Penelope Budd. The dancing is a feature of "Oh, Boy!" The Polo Ballot was a sheer delight, and the team of "ponies" are as smart and deft as any J. C. Williamson has sent to New Zealand. The company pelisses a particularly beautiful premiere da/iseuse in Miss Madge Klliott, who.se dance with Mr. ILislcer was a, lively bit of acrobatic work. Mr. lfasker and Mr. Tom Preston also scored in an eccentric dance. Tho lighting elfects and stage business were well up to the Williamson standard ius we know it.' Mr. Harry Burton con-' ducted. "Oh, Boy!" will be repeated tonight.
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Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 109, 1 February 1919, Page 10
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852"OH, BOY!" Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 109, 1 February 1919, Page 10
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