HIS MAJESTY’S

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 372, 5 June 1928, Page 17

HIS MAJESTY’S

“MADAME POMPADOUR” When two brilliant wits like Frederick Lonsdale, the author of so many delightful comedies like “Aren’t We All,” and Harry Graham, the rhymster, get together, something is sure to lift the lid of the box. The result of their collaboration is “Madame Pompadour,” the musical comedy, or light opera, which is bound to fill His Majesty’s Theatre each evening this week. It is a scintillating, witty show, with pleasant music by Leo Fall, against the sumptuous background of the Court of France in its heyday. Without doubt, “Madame Pompadour” is an entertainment which is worthy of a second visit, and there are few musical productions to-day which are worth that. Miss He Vries has a role which gives her greater scope than “The Student Prince,” and an accent which one expects from a Frenchwoman. With every lift of the eyebrows, every swish of her frock, she expresses vivacity and suggests intrigue. Mr. Frank Webstex* comes into his own as the runaway husband who sings his way into the heart of the Pompadour and brings the King’s wrath upon his head. As Calicot, the wine-bibber poet of the Muses’ Tavern, Mr. Arthur Stigant is excellent, and the comedy is i*ich and fast. He begins by lampooning the Mistress of France and ends by trying to write her a play. All through the play Madame Pompadour, ruler of men from Louis downwards, trips lightly on her frivolous way, relying on her quick wit to get her out of hex* scrapes and on her beauty to make reconciliation complete. “Madame Pompadour” will be presented for the rest of the week.