PICTURESQUE ROMANCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 835, 2 December 1929, Page 15

PICTURESQUE ROMANCE

“DESERT SONG’S” POPULARITY

Moments of laughter, moments of sadness, moments when it appears that nothing but a miracle can give a satisfactory ending which it is felt should result after such a magnificent performance—there is no gainsaying the success of “The Desert Song,” which is being staged at His- Majesty’s Theatre. The play has many claims to the heart of an audience, and its popularity is quite understandable. A romance of the desert wastes of Morocco, and the duel between the French army and the natives—there is sufficient in the setting alone to make the play attractive. The grey and red of the French Army uniforms, and the long sombre robes of the natives, are equally picturesque. Rich sunsets strike an appealing note, and the dressing of the Frenchwomen of the fortress and the native beauties of the harem complete a colourful picture. The whole story surrounds Pierre Birabeau, a French officer who, disg.usted with the French treatment of the natives, deserts and becomes head of a band of Riffs in the hope of righting some of the wrongs inflicted by his countrymen. He is "The Red Shadow,” and in playing the double role <sf the Riff leader and the simple son of the French general, Lance Fairfax scores a hit which should prove a great recommendation fo.r further characterisations. Marie Bremner, as Margot, the girl who, although plighted to a lieutenant, longs for the romance of the desert, is a capable little leading lady. Other roles are filled to satisfaction, and strong choruses of both male and female voices complete a wonderfully entertaining musical play.

Edna West, who first appeared in pictures with the Edison Company, returned to the screen to play the part of Charles Rogers’s mother in his next Paramount production, “Here Comes the Band Wagon.”