“The Desert Song”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 554, 5 January 1929, Page 20

“The Desert Song”

New Musical Comedy Hailed by the Critics

LANCE FAIRFAX SCORES SUCCESS

"The Desert Song,” the latest J. C. Williamson spectacle in Australia, has been hailed with enthusiasm by the critics, who also give the highest praise to Lance Fairfax, the New Zealander, who has just won his first big success in musical comedy.

Let it be said at once that “T|ie Desert Song,” which was produced on a scale of beauty aud sumptffousness rarely seen, represents the highwater mark of musical comedy in Australia. writes a Melbourne critic. Indeed, at times, especially in its splendid male choruses, it approaches the domain of grand opera. Set amid scenes which are a delight to the eye, and a credit to the scene painters, the romantic story of the love of the Riff Robin Hood for the lovely Margot, ward of the French Governor, wends its musical way with a continuity and interest seldom accorded to an author in this type ot play. Acting, music, settings and, for the most part, the voices were worthy of each other, the whole combining to justify the most enthusiastic audience which has filled the theatre fo some time.

The occasion served to introduce to Melbourne several new-comers, but to Lance Fairfax, the Red Shadow, the real honours of the evening must be ascribed. A gallant figure in his red robes, he out-Rudolphed Valentino and every woman in the audience sympathised with the fortunate Margot in her abduction by a brute so fascinating, and grew impatient at her tardy surrender. Mr. Fairfax acted and sang well, his dual role of “silly ass and Rifii leader being well-balanced His ass is, maybe, a thought too sill; He led his collection of Riffs and Rafwith distinction. Great interest was taken in the ue» leading lady, Virginia Perry, wh*> made her first appearance in a dashing military number, supported by a troupe of those clever chorus girls wb<* consitute half the success of a musical play, despite judicial ruling tbai they ought to start their careers at F or thereabouts. Miss Perry prorfd to be a dainty, pretty, slender girl with a voice that exactly matched her Another newcomer, was Herbert Mundin, whose comedy gained appro val. Mr. Mundin’s humour is unforced, and genuinely funny. He owed a good deal to his partner, Lorn;* Helms. Her best number was that with Herbert Mundin, and the chonr “It.” an essay in Sex Appeal. Maud Zinibla made a first appearance in >n e

part of the Spanish Clementina, a" at once won her title to popularity She possesses a delightful sense 0 humour, a remarkably graceful stykand considerable acting ability.

It is pleasant to record that Her bert Browne, -of our own authentic vintage, made a capital success 0 the part of Sid-El-Kar, acting and stnp ing remarkably well. His song. Flower in Your Garden.” is one of t® finest songs in the play. In this, 3 s ' _ other numbers, a fine men’s gave added value. The choral musl- - “The Desert Song” indeed is P a ticularly good. One notable chort* is that which is sung in farewell ’ the Red Shadow before he te forth into the desert. Tt is su - against a beautiful background, in 1 dark before dawn.