CLEM DAWE REVUE COMPANY

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21320, 13 November 1934, Page 7

CLEM DAWE REVUE COMPANY

"HERE'S HOW" Clem Dawe and his New Revue Company appeal perhaps chiefly by j their boundless enthusiasm, the appearance or enjoying thoroughly every part of their long programme, which has gone a long way towards maintaining their popularity through the long season already played in Christchurch. Variety in stage settings and in costumes has come to be expected of this company; but in "Here's How" they excel themselves in the number of changes and the gaiety of colours and lights. The sun-tanned ballet in particular appear in a bewildering series of original frocks, and the designs of the ballets in this programme are, if anything, superior to any that the company has yet presented. Especially pleasing is the work of the ballet with the contralto and soprano duettists, Muriel O'Malley and Ann Luciano, in the number "When Roses Bloom in Normandy." A feature of the programme is the introduction of two atmospheric interludes. The first of these, "An Irish Idea," consists of songs by the vocal quartet, the ballet, and the solo dancers Edna Moncrieff and Edna Luscombe. The second is "A Western Idea," in which the whole company takes part, the most spectacular feature being the dance cf Halliday and Watson, who always contrive to strike an original note. In both these interludes the quartet singing is really attractive, and there is every reason why the four singers, Muriel O'Malley, Ann Luciano, Cliff O'Keefe, and Ralph Daly, should be associated in further numbers of this kind. The presentation of excerpts from the opera "Carmen" is another of their numbers, chief praise ■ being due to Muriel O'Malley for her singing of the "Habanera."

The programme provides many laughs and no dull moments, and is well up to the standard now expected from the company.