LONNIE DONEGAN SHOW

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29368, 22 November 1960, Page 19

LONNIE DONEGAN SHOW

Last Appearance In New Zealand

Skiffle is fun—especially when the exponent is Lonnie Donegan. The Majestic Theatre was filled to capacity for his concert in Christchurch last evening. Microphone trouble marred his opening numbers, but after the noise had subsided his personality won through, and the audience heard a few of his words. His next number, the "Chewing-gum song,” put them at his feet. With his group (Nick Nicholls, Les Bennetts and Peter Huggett) he presented many of his famous songs--“My Old Man’s a Dustman,” “Battle of New Orleans,” “Rock Island Line.” Bright percussion effects were rendered in the “Dustman” song-—on a dustbin.

The first half of the programme was taken up by supporting groups—the Four Clefs, the husband and wife team, Miki and Griff, and the comedian Billy Baxter.

The Four Clefs, an Australian group, opened the show with a selection that ranged from rock ’n’ roll, smooth close harmony, to Brahms’s Hungarian Dance No. 5. Billy Baxter went through the comedy routine of eye rolling and bandy-legged walking. Miki and Griff were funny in a thoroughly English sort of way. Several dress changes heloed Miki. the only woman in the show. In the pair’s most successful number. “Grandma's Lye Soap” she danced through the aisles in a charming fluffy dress of candy pink.

Later in the show. Miki and Griff were brought on by Donegan. to join him in two religious songs.

This was the Lonnie Donegan show’s last appearance in New Zealand.