"CAIRO CARNIVAL"

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24437, 11 December 1944, Page 3

"CAIRO CARNIVAL"

ANOTHER PROGRAMME BY “THE KIWIS” BRIGHT NON-STOP SHOW

“The Kiwis” have made hundreds of friends in Christchurch. When their new'programme. “Cairo Carnival,” was introduced on Saturday evening by this talented band of former members of the Kiwi Concert Party in the Middle East the Theatre Royal was full, and the warm and spontaneous applause which greeted every performer indicated that each had won the regard of Christchurch theatregoers even before the excellent new programme had beon presented. “Cairo Carnival” is non-stop variety at its best Even the “straight" numbers were popular musical comedy selections, while the bulk of the programme consisted of lightning sketches which kept the audience laughing. Each item was a polished production in itself, while the obvious good fellowship among members of the cast, bred of four years as troupers together in the desert, contributed much to the sincerity of the whole performance which so appealed to the audience. “The Kiwis” is a travelling show which does not carry with it cumbersome and elaborate properties, but the variety in colourful stage settings and costumes which appear in the; rapid succession through the slick stage management are a feature of the show. From the opening .chorus, with the company in neat grey suits, flanking their big kiwi emblem, to the ambitious fiesta and Russian revel numbers there is constant change. Humour was the keynote of Saturday’s new programme, Jim Millins, Eddie Hegan, Tim Bonner, Jack Parsons, and Bill Sharley punctuated the programme <vith bright patter, and in contrast there were the droll monologues of the woeful soldier, Dick Marcroft. Phil Jay’s every appearance was greeted with bursts of applause and shrieks of laughter. This brilliant female .impersonator carried a major share of the humorous roles, first as Mrs Feather in her eccentric telephone conversations, and successively - as Mexican Minnie, a Russian character. Primrose Golightly. the radio “aunt,” and the dowager duchess at Little Puldlecombe. Dress and disposition were adapted with , iual facility to suit the variety of feminine characters played. The outstanding performer of the show was however. John Hunter. Dark. slim, and graceful, he was called on to fill the female parts in musical comedy selections, dances of all types, and love scenes. In each he gave a conspicuous performance. The female impersonation was so perfect that anyone could have come away still believing that the cast included at least one young woman. John Hunter sang in a clear soprano musical comedy memories from “Our Miss Gibbs" and “Sunny,” and performed with equal agility Spanish , dances in the fiesta Sequence, a Russian dance in' the finale of the first part, and tap dances, all with Eddie Hegan and also a number of ballet items. “She” was equally aittractive and convincing as Sunny, a senorita. a Russian princess, and as a sophisticated young lady in some of the comedy interludes. Tim Bonner gave child impersonations. . ; “The Kiwis” are well provided with vocalists. Alec Taylor supplied baritone numbers. Snowy Timms serves those who like crooning, and Ivan Dunn sings Irish tenor solos. There are instrumentalists, too, led by Snowy Hall with his accordion. As a chorus with the rest of the company they were well supported by the orchestra, under George Hatton.