SPECTACULAR “RIO RITA”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 764, 10 September 1929, Page 14

SPECTACULAR “RIO RITA”

MUSICAL COMEDY AT ST. JAMES SPARKLING PRODUCTION Tho exotic atmosphere of Old Mexico provides a vivid and colourful background for “Rio Rita,” the new musical comedy at present being featured at St. James. “Rio Rita” revives some of the former glories of lavishly staged productions of the Oscar Ashe regime, and it is safe to say that it will be remembered for a long time to come, if only for its wonderful dressing’, its sparkling ballets and choruses and its wonderful stage effects. More than that, it introduces something new in eccentric fooling. Messrs. Mallen and Norman could safely be left with the comedy element in any production, but when their work is allied with the amazing eccentricities and delightful carryings-on of Miss Janette Gilmore, thq result is prolonged applause. There were shrieks of laughter last night when this trio was in the middle of its side-splitting comedy turns, and if there was just a suggestion that Miss Gilmore’s remarkable*, talents were becoming too much of a good thing, it did not detract from a full appreciation of the wonderful pep and abandon she infused into her work. Miss Gladys Moncrieff retains her glorious voice. Throughout the entire production, the singing of the principals is magnificent, Mr. Leslie Pearce’s strong voice blending admirably with Miss Moncrieff’s clear ringing soprano. They invested the gramo-phone-massacred “Rio Rita” with a new freshness and charm, and Miss Moncrieff’s singing of “Was It a Dream?” was quite the finest vocal number of the evening. Effortless and natural, her voice seems to have gained in quality since she was last here, and there was a fullness and tone in the upper registers which made it a positive delight to listen to her. Mr. Leslie Pearce made a satisfying hero, his vimful personality and brawny figure making him all that a captain of the Texas Rangers should be. Apart from that, his singing was outstanding. Miss Gilmore’s success was quick aqd lasting. The many sides to her piquant humour and stage eccentricities kept the audience wondering what she was going to do next. Her dancing alone would have been sufficient to win her a fair share of the honours of the evening, but ■when it was allied with her amazingly mobile face, her diverting pranks and her delightful American accent, she fairly brought down the house. New Zealand is indeed lucky to see and hear her. Messrs. Mallen and ran a good dead heat for the comedy honours. With such an intriguing and engaging personality as Miss Gilmore to play up to, Mr. Mallen was presented with a golden opportunity for rollicking humour, .and it is but barest justice to him to say that he made the most of it. He did not overdo his part and his serio-comic stunts aroused fits of laughter. Gifted with a ready tongue and a remarkable pair of legs, Mr. Norman had no difficulty in making his own opportunities. As the up-to-the-minute lawyer who gets things done without being too particular about fine points, he was responsible for some brilliant work, and his cute sayings were a constant delight. The part of the sleek. suave and masterful Mexican general was most capably handled by Mr. lan Iredale. The choral work and the ballets were a special feature of the production, which, with its lavish mounting and variety of talent, is bound to attract big houses throughout its stay in Auckland.