“THE DESERT SONG”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 831, 27 November 1929, Page 17

“THE DESERT SONG”

SEASON INCREASES IN POPULARITY

Packed houses are nightly attending the highly successful season of “The j Desert Song,” which begins its second ! week at His Majesty’s Theatre this evening, and which was enthusiastically received last evening. Gorgeous scenery and realistic settings in the desert, in the harem in Morocco, and throughout the various camping places of the Riff band, were mingled with a delicate taste that absorbed the players completely in the correct environment. The story is of love and intrigue in Morocco. The action flits from the French barracks to an insurrectionists’ camp in the Riff mountains and a sultan’s harem. The opportunities for magnificent scenic and lighting effects have been fully exploited and the costumes, French uniforms of blue and scarlet, Arab garments and harem robes are all that could be desired. The story is cleverly worked out, but calls for strong portrayals on the part of the principals, who are most successful in difficult roles. As Margot Bonvalet, the emotional heroine craving adventure and love, yet afraid of the possibilities of her spirit, Miss Marie Bremner found a role into which she fitted with ease and charm. Filling the difficult parts to perfection, she played opposite Lance Fairfax, and made a convincing little adventurer. In her duet with Fairfax, “The Desert Song.” she was particularly pleasing. The Mysterious Red Shadow, the leader of the Riff band, was played by Lance Fairfax, whose portrayal of the dual personality of the ruthless outlaw one moment and the milk-sop son of the French general in the next, was admirably carried through. He was in good voice last evening, and all his numbers were thoroughly enjoyed by the packed audience. Herbert Mundin, supported by Renee Murphy, carried the burden of the comedy work on most capable shoulders. They received valuable help from J. H. Scott. Herbert Browne used a fine tenor voice to great advantage in “One Flower in Your Garden” and in “The Riding Song of the Riffs” with Lance Fairfax. A strong cast also included Marjorie Maxwell and Maud Zimbla, Sidney Burchall, Douglas Herald and Cecil Paneley.