OPERA HOUSE.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19732, 24 September 1929, Page 15

OPERA HOUSE.

VAUDEVILLE AND REVUE.

NAT PHILLIPS'S CLEVER COMPANY.

Nat Phillips's "Whirligigs" revue and vaudeville company is a brilliant troupe of comedians,. singers, and dancers, and their new programme this week at the New Opera House is the best they have yet presented in Chriatchureh. Sparkling with merriment from curtain to curtain, and interspersed with lively music and ballet work, the show keeps the audience in constant amusement. As Usual, the first act is devoted to varied and novel vaudeville turns reeled off without a moment's delay, and the second half of the programme is given over to a musical comedy revue, "Mixed Methods," in which the assembled talents of the company have every chance to make themselves apparent. Hector St. Clair is the star comedian on the printed programme, but Jack Kellaway takes th 6 lead in gaining laughs. lie is a genuine fun-maker, and his mannerisms and studied Voice inflexions are eicellent, his make-up clever, alid hie stage agility remarkable. Nat Phillips himself and Al Mack are always entertaining. The four together produce Mine great comedy, and their spontaneity adds greatly to the effect of their humour. Kitty Stewart, who might be termed the leading lady, has a very attractive personality and a good stage voice. Her acting is excellent, afid she playg up to her light-headed male companions well. Sylvia Gardner, Bessie Blake, Stella Lamond, Ces Scott, Prank Wilson, and Les Wharton all sustain minor roles In this week's revue. When a widow with a son and a Widower with a daughter marry and attempt to hide from each other the secret of the existence of their offspring, complications are sure to arise, and in "Mixed Methods" this certainly becomes a reality. The hectic adventures of Mr and Mrs Dooley, the unhappy newlyweds, and their butier and maid, Thomas and Mary, the former Of whom has also deserted the ranks of the Benedicts, are set out in almost confusing rapidity. _ Musical numbers intermingled with less Serious dialogue include: "He Said and I Said" (Stella Lamond). "The Sun will Shine Again" (Cecil Scott), "Another Kiss" (Bessie Blake),' "Since I Pound You" (Kitty Stewart), "Tennessee" (Sylvia Gardner), "Tipperary" (Les Wharton), supplemented well by the clever dancing of the Kadio Six. Marjofie Vause and Eve Fennetiy in dancing numbers, including a jig, lend a Hibernian atmosphere to a gay If fan plot. Several short sketches In the first half include: "Who's Baby I" an extremely amusin* farce splendidly carried through by Kitty Stewart, Al Mack, and Daisy Merritt. "At the Stage Door." starring Les Wharton, Nat Phillips, and Kitty Stew&rt, gives an amusing insight into the life of an actress Chased bv many,admirers. A ctevpr sketch written to represent the amalgamation of a dramatic company and an operatic troupe who both want the same theatre on the same night is exceedingly well done. Prank Wilson playa several instruments, including a saxophone, a trombone, and a concertina, with skill aad feeling, and in "The Wedding of the Painted Doll" and "Jnst Like a Melody Out of the Sky" he is sure to please. Pong* by Kitty Stewart. Bessie Blake, and C«e Scott, and • host of varied items make tlio programme a most enjoyable one.