“LOMBARDI, LIMITED”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 896, 13 February 1930, Page 16

“LOMBARDI, LIMITED”

FROCKS AND HUMOUR LEO CARRILLO’S LOQUACITY

“.'Lombardi, Ltd.,” a comedy in three acts, by Frederick and Fanny Hatton. Presented at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening: by J. C. Williamson. CAST Muriel ...... Beatrice Kendrick Daisy ........ Barbara Luddy Yvette Elma Gibbs James Hodgkins Leslie Victor Tito Lombardi ....... Leo Carrillo Nor ah Blake Natalie Moya Phyllis Manning .... Rowena Ronald Mollie McNeal . . Henrietta Cavendish Robert Tarrant • . . Cecil Mannering Lida Moore ..... Daphne Bairn Riccardo Tosello ... Brandon Peters Max Strohn Vincent White Mrs. Warrington Brown . . Maidie Hope Eloise . . . Margaret Cullen-Landis After Mr. Carrillo has talked incessantly throughout the first act of “Lombardi, Ltd.,” one realises that “Lombardi, Ltd.,” is mostly Mr. Carillo. He falls in love, he falls out of it. He tells amusing stories —they pour out of him in a perfect torrent. He tactfully pacifies an irate customer, he wastes money, he designs the most glorious clothes. He is the famous Lombardi, of New York. “Lombardi, Ltd.,” is musical comedy without music, a vaudeville turn prolonged for three acts with Mr. Carrillo as the central figure in a triple set of love affairs and beautiful clothes. Women naturally will want to see the gowns which are designed by this voluble Italian —and they will not be disappointed. Several of Auckland’s “younger dancing set” walk on as mannequins and light up the scene with the brilliance of a Paris salon in a fascinating dress parade. In Lombardi’s world of peacock colour and incessant conversation, love plays his usual comedy part. The dress designer himself admires a rather distinguished “gold-dig-ger,” for whom he creates his loveliest gowns. She, however, has contracted a mesalliance with another admirer and leaves Lombardi. Daisy, a mannequin, has arrived at Lombardi’s establishment. determined to gain an apartment, a limousine and clothes. Thanks to this little lady the comedy becomes real and the humour more effective. Meanwhile Lombardi’s assistant has watched over the establishment and all the adoration for her employer has passed unnoticed by him—as it should until the last act. Then we have an orgy of sentiment in a truly American happy ending as Norah and Lombardi find each other, as the mannequin discovers that her lover is really a millionaire and the withered book-keeper responds to the most ancient of ancient calls. Frequently the play becomes noisy, but that is expected in a dress establishment where women vie with each other for the favour of the famous creator. But it is amusing and that, after all, is its ultimate object. A play on words and the quaintness of American expression, combined with Mr. Carrillo’s ability to speak with the speed of a machine-gun, are the principal sources of humour and the audience last evening liked its humour speeded up and lively. For three acts Mr. Carrillo is scarcely off the stage. The first act, in which he scarcely stops talking, is a monument of loquacity for this mercurial American. His broken English lends itself to amusing treatment and he takes every advantage of the opportunities that obviously admiring authors have provided for him. One of the most amusing performances of the evening comes from Miss Luddy, a diminutive American. Her ideas apparently had been gleaned from the talkies and she was deterI mined to slip from the narrow path if it would lead to luxury. Miss Luddy has a delightful sense of the ridiculous and plays comedy without that exaggeration which could so easily degenerate into farce. Miss Cullen-Landis gave us a study in amusing vulgarity | which has rarely been excelled on His Majesty’s stage. As a chewing-gum expert she has no equal. Miss Moya seemed to belong to some other world in the welter of conversation. She has a sweetness and gentleness which are rather wasted in comedy of this kind. One would rather see her back in “Young Woodley,” or plays of that kind. Miss Hope is an experienced player whose work is real and convincing. Mr. Victor can always ’be relied on for an excellent example of character work. Miss Ronald graced an attractive figure in several charming gowns. Miss Gibbs, Miss Cavendish, Mr. Peters and Mr. Mannering played their parts with due regard for their value. The other members of the cast gave all the support which was necessary. “Lombardi, Ltd.,” will continue its amusing way at His Majesty’s for another week.