“SO THIS IS LOVE”

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1025, 16 July 1930, Page 17

“SO THIS IS LOVE”

A CURE FOR THE BLUES AMUSING PRODUCTION ' “So This Is Love,” a musical comedy in two acts and four scenes, by Stanley Lai pi no and Arthur Rigby: music by Tlal Brody; lyrics by Desmond Carter. < Presented at His Majesty’s Theatre ' last evening by J. C. 'Williamson. CAST Guy Steeple ------- John Woods ( Billie St. John - - - - - Jill Mareen Kitty Carle ton - - - Marie Eaton Cherry Carleton ------ Mona Bailee Hap ,T. Hazard Bobby Gordon Peter Malden ------ Michael Cole Pamela Stuart ------- Betty Kiev Harris ----------- Res White Potiphar Griggs ------ Clem Dawe Minnie Griggs ----- Katherine Stewart Lord Tyneside ------ Paul Plunkett James Doherty ------- Dan Agar Onyx Mugge Compton Coutts “So This Is Love,” like its predesessor, provides Mr. Dawe with another glorious opportunity to frisk about in the most diverting manner for nearly three hours. The company has lost none of its vim and vigour, and seemed to embark on its second production last evening with all the freshness which was so characteristic of “Love Lies.” If anything, the melodies are a little weaker, but the other ingredients of this consistently amusing show are all there in full force, with the result that the performance rarely fiaggs, and then only temporarily. Mr. Dawe is always in the offing with Mr. Gordon and Miss Stewart as his first Strong line of support, and the show bounds along again with renewed and spontaneous activit} 7 . Many former productions we remember which were offered under the name of musical comedy were neither comic nor musical. As far as the present season is concerned those days have passed. “So This Is Love” contains both those required qualities, and another appreciative audience went home perfectly happy that the lighter side of the legitimate stage has turned its smiling face on Auckland, even if only lor a fortnight. LOVE IN SONG Fortunately the authors have wrapped the story in such a welter of amusing situations that frecmently it comes as a relief to hear the and ingenue announce their love for each other, with and without song. The trouble seems to have been that Pamela Stuart persistently refused the wealthy ' young Peter Malden because people said that she was marrying him lor his money. Two diverting friends conceived a scheme to declare him penniless. This, of course, went all wrong in the most entertaining way. The lovers part, only to be reunited in the last act, and ’ the curtain descends on the familiar spectacle of dreams coming true and the whole company expressing its unabated pleasure that such things happen. One should add that there is a scheming female to keep the lovers apart, and a husband and wife divided on their wedding day to help the fun along. AUDIENCE JOINS IN There are few' comedians who are able to make more of any situation than Mr. Dawe. Sufficient to say that he gave another extremely amusing performance, that his face is as mobile as ever, and his ingenuity, whether sit-

ting or standing, is remarkable. This is proved by the fact that he persuaded a usually conservative Auckland audience to join with him in singing “I Lift Up My Finger And I Say Tweet. Tweet’ ...” Mr. Gordon, an able comedian, is probably the perfect foil for Mr. Dawe. He gave the most generous support and danced excellently. Miss Stewart romped about in her spirited manner, and made the most of every line and situation. Mr. Cole and Miss Eley were once again the hero and heroine, and told their little love-story very charmingly. Miss Eaton, in an unsympathetic role, gave another consistently good performance. Two minor roles were excellently played by Mr. Woods and Mr. Coutts. The former has a delightful stage manner and sings nicely; the latter’s character study was an effective piece of work. Miss Barlee invested her part with easy grace. “So This Is Love” will be played until Saturday evening, and is a sure cure for the bluest blues. “Love Among the Millionaires” will be the title of Clara Bow’s next alltalking picture. Frank Tuttle, who directed the star in her recently completed film, “True to the Navy,” will handle the new production. Stuart Erwin has been selected for one of the principal supporting roles.