HIS MAJESTY’S

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 504, 6 November 1928, Page 17

HIS MAJESTY’S

“THE GIRL FRIEND” Exhilarating and abounding in those qualities making for popular appeal, “The Girl Friend” continues playing to capacity houses at His Majesty’s Theatre. The show itself is good; the effects and setting are good; and, above all, there is a balanced and clever company. Annie Croft, sweet and amiable, was an excellent “girl friend,” and on the comedy side there is May Beatty, Gus Bluett, and Billie Lockwood, three artists in comedy work. The singing is a delight, and both soloists and chours make the most of their ample opportunities. To-night and to-morrow night will see the last two performances of “The Girl Friend” at His Majesty’s Theatre, and on Thursday the company will present for the first time in the Dominion the latest London musical comedy success, “Hit the Deck.” The full strength of the company, Annie Croft, Reginald Sharland, Leo Franklyn, Gus Bluett, May Beatty and Billie Lockwood and the fascinating ballet and chorus will all be seen at their best. The v production is said to be a most lavish one, with many novel and striking features. The art of the scenic experts has been exploited to the utmost. The ballet is gorgeously arrayed whether appearing in Oriental or Western costumes, the whole production being on a scale to which the adjective “sumptuous” can be applied without overstating the case. Another feature of the presentation is that every member of the cast as well as the chorus do a dance of some description. The piece was a great success in Sydney and Melbourne. One critic says: “Hit the Deck’ is a full speed ahead show that sweeps you along with it to the tunes of some of the catchiest song-hits ever written. The only “Hit the Deck” matinee will be given on Saturday. The box plans are at Lewis Eady’s, Ltd., and the day sales at the Theatre Kiosk.