ALL PEP"

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 1, 1 July 1935, Page 3

ALL PEP"

CLEM DAWE REVUE

■ The versatility of Mr. Clem Dawe is one of the things that strike anyone who sees the successive programmes of his clever company. Besides exploiting all the comedy roles, including old man and old woman, he becomes a new CJein Dawe when ivj takes the baton, as he sometimes docs, in the final frolic of the first half of a programme. For tin's frolic ("Rhythm Kings") the orchestra leaves Ilia orchestral well, and the whole musical strength of the company is massed on the stage. When he is conductor the audience sees more of the comedian's back than in any other of his star turns, but it is an eloquent back, full of little signs and shrugs; and at the final flourish he jumps and twists himself like an acrobat to face the audience, the baton stroke and the twist synchronising perfectly. On Saturday j niglil in the Grand Opera House thesa. Rhythm Kings presented a fine group of pieces—"Persian .'Market," "Deep Hollow," and "Night and Day," ending with an old English medley and "Land of Hope and Glory." Prior to this frolic, the audience had already been worked up to great good humour by fourteen frolics that preceded it in the "All Pep" programme. The.old-lime dances and the spirit of jazz were contrasted in the course of an opening chorus, after which Mr. Eric Edgley. Mr.: Clem Dawe, anri some. 6E the girls-practised a little spiritualism. Almost spirit-like, 100, whs.Miss Edna MoncrieiT's song-dance, "I'm- Walking-on Air." Quite other wise—in fact, materialistic —was the Sketch "Then —and Now," a comparison of sex. relationship today and in mother's time; after which the two singers, Misses O'Malley and Lucianc. sang sweetly, and the comedians followed them' with "The Toyshop," in which Mr. Clem Dawe and Mr. Les White pranced about as children. Mr. Gregory • I van off's "Blue Danube" and "One • Night of Love" gained the applause which, always awaits this violinist Miss Dorothy White and Mr. Clem Dawe led a comic presentation of "The Drama." Mr.-'Ralph Daly and Miss O'Malley sang; and in spite (or because of) the cold night Misses Moncrieff and Luscombe warbled that "It's Wonderful Weather for Love." In this .item the ' ballet's costume was partly Antarctic and partly tropical, and they presented a little "horses in harness' movement that took with the audience. Those very ■ clever specialty dancers Halliday and Watvon, whose contribu lions are always graceful and stimulating, gave an Argentine, tango. Miss Dorothy White's solo comedy turn won its usual applause. The second part of "All Pep" opened with a gijjsy picture, and the song offerings included the famous' "Anvil Chorus" . with- an - electric-sparkinjt anvil; this was beautifully .sung, and would- be more enjoyed if the anvil [lashed not so brilliantly.l For the success of the eighteenth frolic, 'The female Captain Kidds." credit is due both to the designer-of the stage picture and to the girls of the ballet, who 'performed many graceful' piratical movements' to the music-ot Gilbert and Sullivan. One of those thumbnail sketches of doctor, nurse, and patient was put on under the title of "Home Comforts.' 'which, after a riotous course, ended up by someone sitting on a mustard plaster. A dream song "Book Ends" (which, like some oi the' other offerings, was written and composed by the leader of the orchestra, Mr. Tom King), gave Mr Ralph Daly, an opportunity to introduce his dream; the dream turned out to be Misses Moncrieff . and -Luseombe, dancing in the intervals of a statuesque pose. "A Matrimonial Bungle" was the story.of a .tragedy for which th° curate was responsible. "Under My Umbrella" was sung nicely by Miss Luciano and Mr. Shriner, the lady being the umbrella-holder, while the ballet danced their .approval. _Many of the other frolics, Mr. Clem Dawe 3 female impersonation and- his photographic 'skit "The Studio woiv applause,'as. did Mr. Ivanoff's violin offering ("Theme Songs of Richard 1 auber") and the Halliday-Watson turn with Miss O'Malley. It can be said that Mr Clem Dawe's revue has a great comedy and dancing appeal, also a musical.'appeal; and this was proved in the final number, "A Viennese Idea." Audiences invariably are very responsive to the entertainment this company provides, and the periormance in the Grand Opera House on Saturday night proved that clearly. .