Rib-tickling Performance By Anna Russell

Press, Volume C, Issue 29535, 9 June 1961, Page 15

Rib-tickling Performance By Anna Russell

In the list of things which put spring in the step and a new light of hope in the eye, the news that Anna Russell is back in town stands high. In the Civic Theatre last evening she made the audience rock the foundations of the old place with their delight. In the few moments that their merriment would permit they also could take time to marvel at the genius with which she burlesques the familiar, and at the unbelievable energy and vitality of her performance*. To observe her treatment of musical performances is a salutary lesson for all must-* clans and one that cannot be too frequently repeated. Under her assassin's knife, perches become vacant, crowns roll, and heads soon follow them. It all happens so gracefully that there is no pain in the operation, no bitter taste of malice is left, but nothing in the whole business

of music-making has escaped her scrutiny or her faithful attending to it with the full treatment. It sometimes happens that a critic has to endure performances that leave him dispirited and make life seem soggy. A certain old lady of the past found great consolation in affliction by remembering the blessed word “Mesopotamia." The harried and harassed critic in his dark hours could well summon the blessed word “Anna!” to his aid, and a bright light could then be shone. on a performance—although not the light the particular performer may think be is creating. And io with a seemingly infinite range of gesture, with distortion aptly applied to Instrumental work and to singing (it is miraculous that a voice can stand such junketings) and with delicious debunking of pedantry, Anna Russell gave her hearers an inoculation against the ills which are the occupational hazards of regular concert-going. No matter whether the needle was jabbed in the arm or elsewhere, the results were lastingly beneficial. She will give a new programme next Thursday evening and all who do not mind the danger of cracking a rib are certain to enjoy to the full all the good things she has to offer. —■C.F.B. Week-eUd Traffic—“ Ex was the standard description in reports of Transport Department officers of the weight of traffic at the Queen's Birthday weekend. and the road hose counts bear this out Traffic on the Wellington motorway was 17 per cent above that of the same holiday week-end last year, with a Friday to Monday figure of 35.564. Dunedin area traffic was up by more than 16 per cent, and the ebunt on the main Mrflway taken just south of Hamilton was up 18 per cent, on the Queen’s Birthday travel of 1960—(PA.)