"GOING UP"

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 114, 7 February 1920, Page 8

"GOING UP"

A WELCOME REVIVAL

"Going Up," a musical farce founded on James Montgomery's comedy, "The Aviator." Book and lyrics by Otto Haucrbach, music by Louis A. Hirsch. Cast :— Miss Zonno , Floie Allan John Gordon Jinny \V'o:>lon J. JI. Douglas Geo. Willoughby Mrs. Douglas ; Milly Engler Jules Gaillard William Greeno C*raco Douglas Grade Lnrcrs Madeline Manners Cecil Bradley Kopkuison Drown Cyril Kichnnl Robert Street ..- Alfred Frith .lames llrooks Piric HuaU Sam Robinson Field Fisher J.ciiis lack Honker Marguerite Star Madge Elliott This inusjsal comedy, which was first presented in' Wellington about a year ago, is one of tho brightest, gayest, and most tuneful productions of its kind, and its revival at the Grand Opera House by the Williamson Musical Comedy Company last was a very welcome event. The play has a rollicking plot and plenty of rousing fun, vjjile on tho musical side it is particular!;' pleasing. Its melodies and choruses have swing and charm in a high degree, and the placing of tho scenes in a summer hotel provides an opportunity for the display of an viiusiial wealth of fascinatiug frocks. The central figure, it will be remembered, is an author, Robert Street, who has written a successful novel with an aviation interest. He has never flown in person, but his friend, Hopkinson Brown, represents him to bo an accomplished airman, and Street finds himself the hero of every girl in the hotel. They arc fascinating! girls, and tho path of'deception makes very pleasant walking.. But a real aviator, Jules Gaillard, is discovered on the premises. .Tames Douglas, a "sport," declares his belief that Gaillard is the better flyer, and proceeds to make bets on the subject. Street finds himself unable to avoid the test, and after an hilarious lesson from a heavy-weight mechanic, 'he essays his first'(light, and lands home a winner. This s/light, represented bv clever illusory effects, is tho big thrill of the third act, and forms an almost breathless climax to the piay. 'y\\a east has not changed materially since the comedv was first produced in Wellington. Mr. Alfred Frith, as Street, plays still with iiii(Jy-rcstr,iincd drollery. He has the gift of being funny without apparent effort, and he makes the .most of the humour of his part. Mr. Pield Fisher, as the elephantine mechanic, gives a highly successful comedy performance. Mr. George Willoughy, an old favourite, represents the inveterate puntef who starts all the trouble.. Miss Grade Laves, as Grace Douglas, has developed the charm and personality that srio displayed a yen i' ago, and hei' songs, supported by the strong chorus, wero oinong the most altraclive of the inusic-.il rumbers. Missi, Cecil Bradley, a.5 Madeline Manners, is also holding her original part. She scored last w'ght in several solos and duels. Mr. William Greene, as the genuine airman, has tho biggest svng-hit of the play in the- rousing "Going Up," for which tho chorus provides a moving aeroplane pageant. There are many other good numbers, supplemented by very effective chorus work, and last night's audience showed ils appreciation 'by a series of cnthnsinstic eK'orcs. Miss Madge Elliott, whoso dancing is always an attraction in itself, was a'.-isfed by Sir. Cyril Pichards in a itry clever "memories" dance. Mr. Jack Hooker and Mr. Palph Marker, as a pair of aeroplane mechanics, also contributed •i specialty dance of outstanding i erit. "Going Up" is to be presented erch night until Thursday, when it \v : ll give way to the popular "High Jinks" for tho remainder of the senson.