"THE DESERT SONG”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 834, 30 November 1929, Page 16

"THE DESERT SONG”

CONTINUED SUCCESS The Oriental atmosphere of Morocco, with its sunrises and sky effects coloured ever and anon by the bright martial garb of French soldiery and tho picturesque habits of Riff outlaws, has been effectively captured by “The Desert Song" company which played to another capacity house at His Majesty's Theatre last evening. Throughout this musical play, which completely captivates the audience, runs a- plot that keeps one continually guessing as to its outcome. Pierre Birabeau, a young French officer who is disgusted with the treatment meted out by his countrymen to the Moroccans, deserts the French ranks, places himself at the head of a band of Riffs, and proceeds to set their wrongs right by use of the sword. The story of his love for his cousin. Margot Bonvalet, and how he longs to declare his passion but is tied by reason of his identity as “The Red Shadow," unfolds itself in a succession of colourful scenes. To further hamper him is the fact that hi 3 sweetheart is living at the home of his own father who has been appointed to the command of the French forces with instructions to rout “The Red Shadow” —(his own son) and his outlaw gang “by hook or by crook.” All unsuspecting, father pursues son. eventually challenging him to a duel, but Pierre has to decline the challenge in order to conceal his real identity. The eventual revelation of the outlaw leader’s identity comes in a most unexpected manner, and father and son, and the cousin are happy in their ultimate union. Prominent among the members of an accomplished company are Marie Bremner as Margot, Lance Fairfax as Pierre, Marjorie Maxwell as Azuri, a Moroccan girl, and Renee Murphy as Susan, the Awkward.