“THE GIRL FRIEND”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 494, 25 October 1928, Page 17

“THE GIRL FRIEND”

BOX PLANS OPEN MONDAY Theatregoers are looking forward with much interest to the next J. C. Williamson attraction at His Majesty’s Theatre, commencing on Wednesday October 31, presented by the new Musical Comedy Company headed by the popular London actress, Annie Croft, who is supported by a combination of new and old favourites. The newcomers are Reginald Sharland, Leu Franklyn, Irving Rose, all with London reputations. Others sure of a hearty welcome include Gus Bluett. May Beatty, Billie Lockwood, Winnie Tate, Katie Towers and Les Donaghey, together with a magnificent chorus and ballet of youth and beauty. Annie Croft has made a decided hit in Australia. A Sydney “Sun” critic- says: “If you would see how London leading ladies and juvenile leads , carry out their work, don’t miss ‘The Girl Friend.* Annie Croft has the genuine London brand on her. When she sings she is as soft-throated as mornin dew on maidenhair fern. When she dances she is as light as a fairy skipping on a moonbeam. Annie is not a musical comedy star that puts all her eggs in one basket. Her charm is subtle, and her allurement grows as the piece advances. Reginald Sharland is the quiet funmaker of the London stage. Theirs is the method in vogue at the Strand and Shaftesbury Avenue.” The story of “The Girl Friend” briefly is concerning a girl who loses her purse, and a man who misses his train in trying to return it to her. Tho girl, who has no money, is refused a room at an hotel, but by subterfuge secures accommodation in the bridal suite. The bridegroom, without his wife, arrives at the hotel, more or less merry. He finds to his dismay that a lady, not his wife, has occupied one of the rooms of his hotel suite during the night. He is involved in the task of furnishing explanations to his wife. The wh<sle is a farcical comedy and the score is agreeably melodious. Sailors and their variable taste in sweethearts are responsible for much of the fun in “Hit the Deck,” a naVal musical comedy that is the company’s second production. The plot of this jolly show deals chiefly with the lass that loves a sailor. The scenic effects are described as spectacular and include the quarter deck of H.M.S. Inscrutable, and the interior of a Chinese mandarin’s house. The box plans for both productions open at Lewis Eady’s on Monday morning. Linton Wells, the New York newspaper man who made a 28-day trip around the world, thus establishing a record, hi now at the Paramount Studios writing stories for the screen. His first story to be filmed as a motion picture is “Moran of the Marines.” starring Richard Dix. Ruth Elder, the Atlantic aviatrix, has the principal feminine part.