“HIT THE DECK”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 507, 9 November 1928, Page 15

“HIT THE DECK”

NAUTICAL EXTRAVAGANZA MAY BEATTY AND “HALLELUJAH” “Hit the Heck,” a musical comedy in three acts and six scenes.' Book by Herbert Fields, music by Vincent Youmans. Presented at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening by J. C. Williamson. CAST Battling Smith Gus Bluett Magnolia May Beatty Looloo Martin Annie Croft Charlotte Payne Mary Rigby Alan Clark . . . . .. . . Frank Leighton Pamela Carr Ivy Parker Bill Smith Reginald Sharland Mat Leo Frank lyn Bunny .. .. .. •• •• •• Leslie Donaghey •Captain Roberts Jack Dunne Quartermasetr James Hughes Rita Billie Lockwood We have always admired the musical comedy writer’s superior disregard for time and geography and similar trifles. Otherwise there would have been no “Hit the Deck,” and a bright evening’s entertainment would have been lost. For instance, where but in a musical comedy could one begin in a Plymouth coffee house, attend a dance on the deck of a battle cruiser, arrive a few minutes later in kaleidoscopic Shanghai, visit a mandarin’s temple and return to the coffee house in time to see the lovers reunited and discussing a prospetcive family. “Hit the Deck” is a nautical extravaganza in which the sailors gather themselves up into bunches of ten and behave exactly as sailors should, whether in the coffee houes or in China. The author, bless him, has given us our money’s worth with the result that the title might occasionally be called “Dragging the Deck” instead of “Hitting” it. That by the way; there are countless moments to discount the dull ones and, after all, the “Hallelujah” chorus is worth waiting for. The scenery i 3 elaborate, the musical numbers, though not so tuneful as in “The Girl Friend,” are melodious and catchy, the humour bubbles along merrily, and the sentiment is not too oppressive. “Hit the Deck” might almost have been a Leap Year must comedy, so persistently does the heroine pursue her sailor hero, dispensing with a fortune in her efforts to capture him. Miss Croft’s grace and charm have captured Auckland. She dances with delightful ease and sings with a sweet, fresh voice, which is worth more than any volume of sound. Good looks and personality have rarely been combined with such innocent sincerity. Who would have believed that bulky Magnolia was Miss Beatty? 7 Hidden beneath a coat of tan was the grande dame of “The Girl Friend” and “The O’Brien Girl.” It was a magnificent performance, admirably sustained from the first scene to the last. Miss Beatty led the “ Hallelujah ” chorus with fire and vjgour, and the success of the number was assured. r singing of “Lucky Bird” was a joy. Mr. Franklyn and Mr. Bluett persistently refused to be ordinary A.B.’s. They were too frivolous for that. Sometimes they behaved like very gentlemanly motor salesmen, sometimes they let themselves go in a burst of naval enthusiasm, and at all times they were extremely funny. Their team work, in which Mr. Donaghey joined, was excellent. Mr. Sharland played the hero without becoming too heroic. He dances nicely and shared with Miss Croft the honours of “Harbour of My Heart” and “Sometimes I’m Happy,” two of the musical successes of the piece. Miss Lockwood had little to do, but she believes that “what is worth doing is worth doing well,’ ’and put as much sincerity into her few lines as she did into her big parr in the‘former production. The smaller roles were all effectviely played and a quinettte in the second act was an enterfiining inetrlude. “Hit the Deck” will be played for the rest of the season.