ST. JAMES THEATRE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 419, 30 July 1928, Page 15

ST. JAMES THEATRE

“MERCENARY MARY” A crowded house gave an enthusiastic welcome to “Mercenary Mary” at the St. James Theatre on Saturday evening, and particularly to Elsie Prince, whose portrayal of Mary is a joy and a delight. For a good two hours and a-half the fun waxed fast and furious, for “Mercenary Mary” is a first-class laughter show from beginning to end. The plot centres around Mary, with Jimmie Godden as her somewhat foolish husband, and Charlton Morton as a reluctant co-respondent.

There is Quite a lot of dialogue about the divorce laws of America, which are made more easy than ever in this production, while the whole show abounds in songs, dances and beautiful scenery. With their duet,' “I’m a Little Bit Fonder of You Than of Myself, I Am,” Elsie Prince and Jimn;ie Godden made a great hit, as they do, for that matter, in almost everything .else., •

Jimmy Godden sings “My Sweetie’s Turned Me Down” in a sorrowful way. With Nellie Dean, Charlton Morton, who takes the part of the naughty boy, sings “Honey,, I’m in Love With You,” “Thinking of You” and “Tie a String.”

Some of the other songs were “I’m Going to Dance at Your Wedding,” “Over the Garden Wall,’ “They All Look Good to Me,” and “Dipping in the Moonlight.”

Nellie Dean, Len Rich, Betty Lambert, George Willoughby, Royston McDonald, Elsie Parkes and Phil Kennedy all help to make the show a success. The ballet and chorus are very fine, and Miss Prince is all that “Mercenary Mary” was meant to be by the author.