“JOHNNY DEVLIN SHOW”

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29324, 1 October 1960, Page 15

“JOHNNY DEVLIN SHOW”

Screams And Whistles Greet Artist

Loud screams, whistles, and shouts greeted Johnny Devlin in the Theatre Royal last evening, when “The Johnny Devlin Show" opened to a packed house, mainly of teenagers. Devlin showed clearly that he is a good entertainer. Wearing a plain grey suit with narrow trouser cuffs, and white shoes, he sang several rock ’n’ roll numbers. They included “Lawdy Miss Clawdy,” which is reputed to have brought him to public notice in New. Zealand. The audience was restrained during the rest of the show, made up mainly of local artists. However, Cyril Edwards drew loud laughter and applause, his two rock ’n’ roll numbers and miming acts being hilariously funny.

The Southerners, a male quartet, sang a number from “Porgy and Bess,” “Granada,” and “Ghost Riders.” Their harmony was excellent, and their items provided a restful change in a show that was otherwise mainly concerned with rock ’n’ roll. There was nothing original in the singing or the songs by Barbara Dobson. However, she is almost as good as the person she imitates.

John Sullivan, the compere, was suave and confident. His anecdotes adequately filled in between items, and his miming acts with Cyril Edwards were excellent.

“Delarno” caused a tot of amusement with his’ventriloquism act with “Duddles," a large duck. A clever juggling and balancing act was given by Russ Muir. He ended his act by balancing, on his chin, a tray of glasses on a stick, and on top of that, a piece of cardboard with four eggs on it With a stick he knocked the cardboard away and the eggs fell into the glasses on the tray. The supporting band, the “Saints." was loud and rhythmic, and provided a suitable background.