VARIETY SHOW.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 144, 19 June 1940, Page 15

VARIETY SHOW.

"CHINS UP AND SMILE." SHORT SEASON OPENED. Variety was the keynote of nearly three hours' excellent entertainment provided by the "China Up and Smile" vaudeville which began a season of three nights in Hie Majesty's Theatre last evening. Organised by the Auckland Commercial' Traveller* and Warehousemen's Association in aid of the Sick, Wounded and Dietrew Fund the show went with a swing from the start to the finai curtain, and there was not a dull moment throughout. Music, mirth and melody went to make up a programme that would have done credit to many a professional troupe. The humorous side was especially well catered for "and contributing items under this head were such well-known comedians as Messrs. Elton Black, ReX Yates and Allan McElwain. Several interludes, with bright repartee, and comedy acrobatics by Mr. Jack Bonham and hia troupe kept the audience in good form. Among the former wae "Dr. Dafoe and the Quine," whose garb literally brought down the house, and during the interval they mingled with patrons to collect further "griet for the mill."

The present popular tune, the "Beer Barrel Polka/' wae brought into the programme on several occasions and the audience spontaneously joined in the chorus. A number of young exponents of the terpsiehorean art from the NettletonEdwards school of dancing provided some popular numbers, and the solo dance "The Pheasant," by Miss Peggy Sager, drew warm applause. Mr. Allan Mathews indeed proved himself a master magician, and he fairly left hie audience gasping. On the vocal aide were items by Mrs. John Farrell; a bright young pair in the persona of Miasea Irma Squirrel and Lynne Williame, an well as Misses Beryl Prentice, Winifred 'Hill and Ivy' Fleming, whose trice were greatly enjoyed; the Lyric Four, Messrs. A. McElwain, E. Thomas, F. Campbell and A. Bipley. Catchy tunes played by Mr. Ron Baker's orchestra and the overtures by Mr. Harold Moody , * band, and the flautist, Mr. Claude Tucker, all went to make up a splendid programme. A short commentary on the international situation was given by Mr. Kenneth Melvin. The flnal number "There'll Always Be an England," by Miss Irtna Squirrel, -accompanied by Mr. Ron Baker's orchestra, was a popular one.