BRIGHT REVUE

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22705, 9 May 1939, Page 6

BRIGHT REVUE

# “HOLLYWOOD HOTEL” AT ST. JAMES* SECOND PROGRAMME OF SEASON “Hollywood Hotel, Second Edition,” the second revue of the Christchurch season of a talented American revue company, provided three hours of really bright entertainment for a thoroughly appreciative audience last night. As all good revues must, "Hollywood Hotel” moves at a brisk pace, and there is not a wasted second in a crowded programme. Most popular of all in the show was its dancing, a clever ballet and excellent soloists, some of whom are brilliant, taking up a good part of the programme. The Eight Apple Dancers, the negro ballet which introduces Christchurch to the fascination of bright swing music, and the dancing that goes with it, are seen in several rhythmic numbers, which .if they were all the programme, would be worth going far to see. Jack Whitney and Jack and June Blair were other solo dancers to add to the attractiveness of the show. The various numbers of the ballet deserve special mention. The dancing itself was good, the costuming excellent and lavish beyond standards usually seen in revue, and very fine use was made of lighting effects. A number of bright and tuneful songs are in the show, and there are' some very good voices to sing them, particularly Magda Neeld -and Robert Berry. The quartet from “Rigoletto” towards the end is a piece of really funny clowning, one of the brightest items of a show full of comedy, “Hollywood Hotel” has no dearth of artists to produce laughs. Heading the list is Bobby Morris, who sings, dances," takes a prominent part in sparkling dialogue, and generally never loses an opportunity of making an audience rock in its seats. Marty May tells delightful stories in a smooth and very confidential way, and as general master of ceremonies ably and cleverly introduces the audience to the type of American humour in which the show abounds. Murray Briscoe also takes a prominent part in the revue’s main ob-jective-producing laughs. The balancing and general "strong man” act of Clifford and Park introduces many new and clever balancing tricks, all of which are extremely clever, and their performance' last night was among the most popular of the night. With such a varied assortment of outstandingly good ' arists, “Hollywood Hotel, Second Edition,” could not fail to suit the tastes of all who like bright revue of a type seldom seen in the Dominion. Last night the St. James’ Theatre was packed to capacity, many being turned away. The show will remain in the city for only three more performances—two nights and a matinee.