SONG AND DANCE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18920, 8 February 1927, Page 13

SONG AND DANCE.

INTRODUCING HECTOR ST. CLAIR. FULLERS' VAUDEVILLE. Hector St. Clair lias not been long in Uiiistt-liurcli, but ho did not tako long in introducing himself, nnd ho certainly has a way with him. Ho i 3 an unconventional comedian, and last evening ho showed liin versatility in n good little serious sketch. Tho vautlevillo fido of tho profrramtno hos a new arrival in Frank Rodgors, and Amy Rochcllo continues to charm her nudionccs with her songa nnd her child impersonations. Hector St. Clair is tho mainstay of hie rovuo, and .them »ro few episodes in tho show in which ho has not tho leading part to play. His supporting company is strong, however, and chief among thorn aro the Sisters Rodney, three petite Americana with a distinct flair for ontortaining. Tho other members of tho company do their share of tho work well, nnd tho numbers go with a swing from tho rise of the curtain to the "black-out."

Hector St. Clair made his appearance and fooled a little, and then he produced n violin from a capacious, though scarcely fashionable, pair of bags. Ho showed that ho could play tho fiddle, though some of the attdienco were not quite euro whether tlicre was not aomo cntcli in it nil. Mr St. Clair in a burlesque comedian, but not of the. orthodox character, mid ho oprang several surprises upon his audience—particularly those in the front rows. In "The Differenco" ho made up uplondidly as a "down-and-out," and his serious work in this skotch nbout two men who had suffered in tho war, tho nobleman and tho waif, was quito as good as his comedy. Leslie I'earcc was convincing as tho blinded officer. Six thumbnail sketches entitled "Old Jokes Retold," was appreciated to the full. Tho Rodney girls, three in number, Bang a song about Mexico, and then another ''Our Military Stylo." Their dancing was as enieitaining «a their singing, and as they are attractive little ladies, and do their work thoroughly well, they should bo popular with audiences here. Another bright item on the programme was n nautical dnncc by Ray McLean and Dot Creswcll. They dnnccd well, particularly the mnlo portion of the duo, nnd their interlude was pleasantly bright Hyltou Osborno and Marilyn McGill joined in a little harmony about Spain, and Mr Osborne sanj; a good song about men who work in the oilfields. Another singer in the company is Leslie Pearce who sang "I'll Take Her Back," and the popular "Sleepy Time Gal." Tho revno closed with a funny skit on the good olti farmyard opera, with villains, heroes, heroines, and ingenuous villagers. \ ictor Roberts and Lillian Grey put in good work in tho sketches. Amy Rochcllo still heads tho vaudeville bill, and, in the words of the vaudeville devotee, she "goes big." Her voice is one that can handle operatic numbers, and B ne is just as facilo with the music which has « larger appcnl. Her child impersonations make a strong impression, and she certainly seems to have caught the manner and articulation of the very young She sahg "Some Other Bttd Whistled a Tune, »no gave a whistling chorus, which earned « good "hand." The stories sho told had the double quality of being new and funny. Frank Rodger., a coloured vcntriloquisL is distinctly out of the usual run of these gentlemen who make pl.y W! h their ».' and last evening he imitated w.th success a babv, a pugnacious dog, and ft cow or two. "his first item was a treble conversation into which the baby joined, and then there came the dog and the cow*. Mr Rodgcrs is a very pood ventriloquist, and the audience was loth to let him go. The Dalcvs made their second appearance, and, as was tho case last week, their principal stock-in-trade consisted of songs in which thev made play on the name, of local nevsonages and racehorses. Tho Dronsons are also on the bill, and they gagged and sang a song about Miss New Zealand. Mr Albert Didgood and his orchestra wee as obliging as ever, and made ant for everyone, both sides of the foots.