La Rue show tribute to a personality

Press, 2 August 1979, Page 4

La Rue show tribute to a personality

Bv Howard McNaughton •The Danny La Rue Shew,” scripted by Bryan Blackbum and Mike Goddard, presented by Sadlier Bros; Theatre Royal, August 1 to 4. Running tine: 8.15 pun. to 11 p.m. "Even though I’m old I’m still a killer; This isn't make-up It’s poly-filla ...” Sings Danny La Rue, in •he character of Marlene Dietrich, one of half a dozen, foies which he assumes to-, sards the end of his show, ind one which typifies the, uch Mend of parody and reneration that runs through lis numbers. His Betty Srabte. his Shirley Temple, >r—his best—his Mae West ire all brilliant send-ups, ret thev capture something lery close to the genuine rgends. “We remember Mae h'est” is interpolated with Exchanges which are in fact

much cleaner than those commonly attributed, and the piece serves as an extremely engaging tribute to one of the great caricatures of entertainment

This programme is very much a variety show, with interludes such as the Rosettis’ lassoing act (using ropes and chains), and Wayne King’s piano feats which had some of the huge audience on their fee, and which drew a final acclamation very close to Mr La Rue’s own. But most of the inumbers revolve around the star, who is generally off the i stage just long enough for lone of his dozens of elabor|ate costume changes. Everything about the show is lavish: the live orchestra which reaches a very acceptable standard for its material, the dancing and

i chorus work by the support -

i ing cast of about 22, the cosI tumes, and even a large

amount of special decor and curtaining. The programme starts with the chorus, building up to the star’s first entrance. Then, after a ballet number and its parody, Danny La Rue does a political piece in the character of Mrs Thatcher, scripted specially for the New Zealand tour, and replete with unprintable opinions on a large number of public figures. Finally, in the first half, there is a vigorous “Salute to the Follies.” Though often amusing and always colourful, most of the first half and the Bunny Girl sketch that followed did not quite reach the level of brilliance that I expected; it was left to the “Most Unusual Ladies” of stage and screen to achieve this in style. The audience last night was so large that the gallery

was opened, and everyone seemed thoroughly satisfied with the show. The programme, at $2.50, and full of Australian advertising, is an-