TIVOLI REVUE COMPANY

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25227, 4 July 1947, Page 9

TIVOLI REVUE COMPANY

BRIGHT RETURN PERFORMANCE Miss Jenny Howard, a firm favourite with Christchurch audiences, again last evening delighted a capacity house in the Theatre Royal with her humour and songs, when the Tivoli Revue Company gave a return presentation of the revue, “It’s Foolish But It’s Furl.” The company which played in Christchurch more -tnan a month ago, has been touring in Otago and Southland.

Although Miss Howard is billed as the star of the show it is almost impossible to pick out an individual in the cast for special mention, as all contribute to the. refreshing, lighthearted entertainment. For a cominedienne, Mis's Howard has a voice of surprising quality, and more could have peer! heard of her singing. The speed and agility of the six girl acrobats, the de Pauls, left the audience THey are undoubtedly as good a troupe of acrobats as have ever been seen in New Zealand, and their hard work earned them loud applause. Acrobats of another kind, the two Maxwells, also held the audience tense and silent during their difficult manoeuvres.

Eddie Gordon’s trick cycling was fascinating, and to an audience so familiar with bicycles, his performance was little short of amazing. He accomplished the most difficult feats with a minimum of ease ,and appeared to be helped rather than hampered by his outsize trousers, waistcoat, and shirt. With no handle-bars and on only one wheel he sped round the stage, and to the delight of the crowd stopped short, only to go into reverse with equal speed. Juggling is always popular with the ordinary people whose talents are more mundane, and the performance of Elimar was a great success. On a slack wire he swung and juggled all manner of rings and Indian clubs. His popularity increased when he brought the audience into his act. He kicked, or threw a rubber ball into the gallery, stalls or circle, and when it was thrown back to the stage he retrieved it, balancing it on the end of a rod which he held between his teeth.

The jokes which passed between Clifford Guest and his ventriloquial doll were greatly appreciated. The Musical Macs gave first-class entertainment, the female partner having a pleasing voice; and the tap-dancing of Gardner and Kane was neat and new.

Between the turns there were some bright sketches. The ballets were marked with grace and refinement, and the music of the orchestra, conducted by Len James, was not that of a strident band which so often disappoints audiences at vaudeville shows. The orchestra’s novelty overture, compared by Robert Butt, gave the audience an indication of the pleasures in store, and throughout the programme the orchestra entered into the fun of the show.