MONTAGUE SHOW

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22250, 15 November 1937, Page 5

MONTAGUE SHOW

HIGH STANDARD SET BY NEW PROGRAMME

AN EXCELLENT COMEDIAN

A very high standard is set by the Montague Company in the revue, "This Year of Carnival," which began its Christchurch season in the St. James' Theatre en Saturday evening. It is well above the average of variety shows staged here recently; stage settings, costumes, dances, dialogue, and humour are all excellent. But it is no discredit to other performers to say that George Doonan, the principal comedian, is the "life and soul of the party," as one of his numbers describes him. Mr Doonan is a departure from the type of leading comedian usually seen in touring shows, and a very welcome departure. His humour has point. Though he tells many "jokes" (good ones, too), he does not depend on them, but rather on his own delightful personality. It was obvious that the audience soon came to watch for his appearances, as the principal "treat" in a feast of entertainment.

The Darmora Hungarian Ballet jS far superior to the dancing troupes brought by previous shows of this kind; it would give pleasure by its magnificent costumes alone, but its ballets (of a light kind) are beautifully designed and gracefully executed. The solo dancers are a delight to watch. These performers are almost a show in themselves.. The whole programme cannot be covered in a brief notice, and quality is so even that the items mentioned must be taken as samples. One which gives most of the performers an opportunity is the Hollywood Party, "thrown" enthusiastically by George Doonan himself. Being an Englishman, Mr Doonan could not be expected to take Hollywood' very seriously; and the guests at his party are all amusing "caricatures'* of film celebrities. It will give some idea of the ability of the Montague Company to mention that there are ip this item at least six very capable impersonators. Mr Doonan. at the microphone, welcomes them—Eddie Cantor, Zasu Pitts, Marlene Dietrich, and Mae West to the life. Mr Doonan himself brilliantly converts himself for a space into Jack Hulbert; his by-play, too, when "Bing Crosby" is crooning glutinously, caused waves of well-earned laughter, reaching a climax when he fulfils his life's ambition to shoot a crooner.

"Carnival in Spain," "Carnival of Roses," and "Carnival of Chess." are wonderfully staged and costumed. As spectacles alone they arc excellent; but the singing and dancing are additional pleasures. Franz and Bea Darmora, as "Dancing Dolls," bring new and ingenious variations to this type of act. The Dawn Sisters have a form of humour all their own. The comedians who assist Mr Doonan would be quite able to carry the clowning on their own backs: Jimmy Jewel and Ben Warriss exchange witticisms on current tonics which are certainly new to Christchurch audiences. From them, as from the leading comedian, there are no "chestnuts." They exemplify the freshness which makes this Montague show the success it is.