HIS MAJESTY’S

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 80, 25 June 1927, Page 15

HIS MAJESTY’S

LADY, BE GOOD More than ordinary interest is being taken in the approaching production of the latest London and New

York musical comedy sensation, “Lady, Be Good,” which is to be staged for the first time here by the brilliant “No, No, Nanette” company at His Majesty’s Theatre, for a brief season, beginning on Saturday afternoon and evening next, with matinees

on subsequent Wednesdays and Saturday, and it will probably prove as popular as did “No, No, Nanette.” The fact that it ran for upward of 15 weeks in Melbourne is an indication that it is a play much above the average, but, of course, the authors are fortunate that such artists as Elsie Prince, Jimmy Godden and Charlton Morton have the most important characters to portray, as they are undoubtedly three of the best in their line that we have enjoyed in New Zealand for many a day. These artists, too, however, must consider themselves fortunate to have had two such fine vehicles as “No, No, Nanette” and “Lady, Be Good,” in which to take part, as the music, the dialogue and the other material provided by the authors give them ample opportunities for the display of their distinctive talents. Elsie Prince, it is said, has a much larger part to enact than she had in “No, No, Nanette.” Whether as Judy Trevor herself, a burlesque Swiss miss, or as a delightful Mexican widow, this most versatile actress, it is said, sings and dances her way into the affections of her audience. The humour, it is stated, has more vim in it than most musical comedies, and the role of Waterson Watkins gives Jimmy Godden exceptional opportunities to display the fact that he is one of the best and funniest comedians we have yet enjoyed in the colonies. He sings the number which takes its name from the title of the play. It contains an appeal to one lady after another to be good, to him. George Gershwin, the composer of “Rhapsody in Blue,” is responsible .for many other catchy tunes, in the syncopated style. Many of them are duets in which Miss Prince takes part. Mr. Charlton Morton, who made himself immensely popular in “No, No, Nanette,” created quite a sensation in Dunedin, Christchurch, and Wellington in his remarkable specialty acrobatic dance. Mr. Leonard Rich, who was specially engaged for the part of Dick Trevor, is now one of the most popular members of the company. Others in the cast are Miss Nellie Deane, Miss Elsie Parkes, Miss Olive Grant, Miss Gladys Hermes and Mr. Claude Holland. That wonderful little dancer, Miss Alma Mackie, executes a sensational dance in “Lady, Be Good.” The dresses and the stage settings are features of the opera. The ranks of the chorus and ballet have been augmented for the coming production.

The box plan will be opened at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd., on Thursday morning next, at nine o’clock. A queue will be formed from 8 a.m.