A MUSICAL COMEDY.

Shannon News, 18 October 1927, Page 2

A MUSICAL COMEDY.

HOW IT IS CONSTRUCTED. A few clays ago someone asked Mrs 1. M. Allan,"the producer for the Levin Operatic and Dramatic Society, where she got "The Show Gfirl," and whether or not a musical or lyrical score was obtainable. Mrs Allan's first response ,vas a hearty laugh and then she told the story of how "The Show Girl" really originated and ths outline which follows is decidedly interesting. "If you will remember," she said, "last year tha local Society staged a really good revue, but the expenses of costumes and scenery were very high. At the beginning of this season several pieces of a rather ambitious nature were suggested, but the heavy royalties attached to the more modern productions put them out of the question as far as Levin was concerned, and for a while I was in a bit of a predicament, when I suddenly remembered an awkward situation, an old friend of mine found himself in over an innocent flirtation while his wife was away in Australia. That settled' the matter. Why -not alter the story a bit, fit in a few more characters and surround the episode with a number of modern songs and choruses? At least the idea was wo: thy trying-, so I spent over a week ibserving various characteristics in people whom I met and took rough notes Oil various scraps of paper. These were afterwards arranged in a manner similar to a card index and the work of fitting them in to a'humorous story commenced. Then the musical numbers were selected and in -less than a month Uie whole thing was complete. Even :hen I was/ doubtful whether it would be just what was required, but all louhts were set at rest when Mr Kenneth Aitken »and one or tw*o other members of the Society', to whom I showed the score, gave it their immedate approval. So we went right ahead and here you have it being staged for the first time in Levin next Thursday and Fridav.

"Who was Arthur Ilylton? Oh, that would be hardly fair, but I've sent .-he original Arthur complimentary tickets* for himself and his wife, and I am wondering whether or not he.will recognise the little episode of ten years ago." '