“RIO RITA”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 756, 31 August 1929, Page 20

“RIO RITA”

ST. JAMES NEXT WEEK “Spectacular throughout!” Such is the comment of Ernest C. Rolls, producer of “Rio Rita,” which commences its Auckland session at the St. James Theatre next week. Mr. Rolls adds that Auckland will see in every respect the equivalent of a New York or London production. Rita, the character in which Gladys Moncrieff will make her welcome reappearance, is of mixed parentage, half Mexican and half American. The play is set in Mexico, on the Rio side, facing the Texas border. Hatred of the gringoes, as the Mexicans call the Americans, is the theme. In love with Rita is a Don Juan, chief of the Mexican police of the district. Events are complicated through the advent of James Stuart, an American Stuart returns the love Rita shows him. Really, he is a captain of the Texas Rangers in pursuit of a mysterious Mexican character. known because of his ferocity as “the Kinkajou,” for whom there is a reward of 10,000 dollars. But it is not until a later stage of the play that Rita discovers Stuart’s real identity, together with the object that has brought him to Rio. Suspicion and misunderstanding are followed by a happy ending for Stuart and Rita. Principal individual dancer is Janette Gilmour, in the role of a cabaret dancer, Dolly. “All the dances,” explains Mr. Rolls, “emerge from the story. The action proceeds without the suggestion of an interpolation. Sequence is thus preserved, resulting in a perfectly blended whole.” Miss Moncrieff has a sparkling song in “Rio Grande.” Duets in which she will be heard include “When You’re in Love You’ll Waltz” and “Rio Rita.” The elaborate character of the presentation is indicated by the fact that the show includes 100 .-lersons, and that 200 of the 500 dresses required were obtained direct from Paris. Specially low prices have been announced. The box plan far the first six nights and two matinees of the season will open on Monday for dress circle and orchestral stalls, and on Tuesday morning for grand circle seats.

Full details of the Rio Rita season will be found on Page 32.