HIS MAJESTY’S

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 284, 21 February 1928, Page 14

HIS MAJESTY’S

“QUEEN HIGH” TO-MORROW “A glorious galaxy of girls and gaiety, captivating comedy, a million marvellous melodies, exquisite dresses, a romantic love story and a wonderful cast,” is how a Melbourne critic started his criticism of the initial Australian production of “Queen High,” which is to be staged for the first time in New Zealand at His Majesty’s Theatre by J. C. Williamson’s New Musical Comedy Company to-morrow, Wednesday, night. Barrett-Lennard and Cecil Kellaway, it is said, simply revel in the comedy material provided by the authors of “Queen High,” which is an adaptation of the screamingly funny farce-comedy, “A Pair of Sixes.” Miss Berl Walkley has a much better singing part in- “Queen High” than she had in “Tip Toes,” consequently her rich soprano voice will be heard at its best. Leyland Hodgson also has a much better character to portray than he had in the opening piece. Miss Thelma Burness scored a big success in Australia as Polly Nettleton and so did Roy Russell as Jerry Vanderholt. Those exquisite dancers, from the Folies Bergere, Paris, Josephine Head, Albert Hugo and Mdlle. Ramona, will present their two big specialty dances, which, when they were first seen in New York, created a sensation, and they did likewise in Melbourne. Miss Biliee Lockwood is a popular favourite, so her reappearance here as Coddles will be welcomed. Miss Edna Browne will make her debut as Mrs. Nettleton.

Neither money nor care was spared in making “Queen High” one of the best musical plays staged under the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., banner. “Queen High” was produced under the supervision of Mr. Charles A. Wenman, the principal producer of J. C. "Williamson, l.td.

Owing to the brevity of the season only four evening performances can be staged of “Queen High” and a special matinee will be presented.

Another demure and charming little actress has changed her personality. This time it is Lois Moran, the 16-year-old screen discovery of a few seasons ago, who h.as lately been sigrned to a long-term contract woth Fox Films. Miss Moran was cast as Violet, the heroine of “Publicity Madness,” who is the old-fashioned daughter of a business magnate. On the advice of a young salesman, Violet shortens her hair and her skirts ensuite, and in the picture Lois Moran has her own hair cut in order to inject realism into the story. She now emerges as a young woman of greater efficiency and poise, and all who see her say that Lois is more fascinating than ever.