“BELLE OF NEW YORK.”

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17982, 29 March 1930, Page 5 (Supplement)

“BELLE OF NEW YORK.”

REVIVAL IN SYDNEY. A TREMENDOUS SUCCESS. FOURTEEN CURTAIN CALLS. Even the mosf optimistic playgoer could hardly have foreseen such an enthusiastic reception for “The Belle of New York” as was accorded the revival of that popular musical play at Her Majesty’s, Sydney, last week.

Thunders of applause from all parts of the house greeted the old favourites, and at times the delight of the audience found vent j In cheering. At the close there 1 were 14 curtain calls, It was the most triumphant revival seen in Sydney for years.

It was also a triumph of the old order over the new. -• In the late 'nineties, when “The Belle” was written, the public taste in the matter of musical comedies had not yet been demoralised by the social disturbance caused by the war, or the musically destructive influences of jazz. • The standard set for composers was a higher one than obtains to-day, and the enduring popularity of “The Belle of New York” is proof that they did these things better 110 years ago. Old Favourites Warmly Greeted. The tuneful music, which was whistled In the streets and heard in almost every home 30 years ago, was enjoyed with the same keen delight on Saturday night as it was when the piece was first produced here in 'IBB9, with Louise Ilepner as the charming Salvation Army lass. The dressing was brought up to date, and that gave

the play a modern touch. Ail the old humour of the gaudily-dressed AntiCigarette Society, led by that modern Malvolio, Ichabod Bronson, so ludicrously serious, stirred the laughter of the audience just as of yore, and there was not a joke, whether new or old, : that didn’t get home. Old performers, : such as Phil Smith, Amy Rochelle, and • ■Leslie Holland, were given receptions which would have gratified the first ! artists in the land, and the piece was j held up while the audience insisted on a recall of Leo Frankiyn and Mary j Lawson in their grotesque song and ! dance, “She is the Belle of New 1 York.” The piece was admirably played by : all concerned. Marie Bremner looked so demurely sweet, and sang so well, that she challenged comparison with other charming Violet Grays who have gone before. The task of Leslie Hoi- ; land, as the social reformer, Ichabod ; Bronson, was not as easy one, as his j voice was rather weak. But he made up for that deficiency in his amusing and intelligent interpretation of the character.

The polite Lunatic of Cecil Kelleway was an uncommonly clever character study, the most amusing thing in the show, and decidedly original..

Amy Rochelle, as Cora Angclique, sang well and put plenty of vim into, the part of the husband-seeking comic opera star. Sidney Burcliall acted naturally and put a good voice to the proof in the part of Harry Bronson, and although Gwyneth Lascclles scarcelyexpressed all the vivacity and piquancy of the French-girl Fifl, she did very well, and sang the naive little “La Belle Parisienne” charmingly.

Leo Frankiyn, as Blinky Bill, and Mary Lawson, as the comical Mamie Clancy, acted, sang and danced well in the double harness of low comedy, and Dulcie Davenport was a bright Kissy Fitzgarter. The twin counts were capably presented by Leslie Donaghey and Bert Barton, while amusing character studies were given by Sidney Wheeler, as Sniffkins, Bernard Manning as the tragedian, and Phil Smith as Twiddles.