“BIRDS OF THE NIGHT”

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 138, 6 March 1936, Page 3

“BIRDS OF THE NIGHT”

Spectacular Revue at St. James

This Evening Embellished with a variety of unusual acts presented by artists who could hold their own in any company, “Birds of the Night,” a transcription of the Paris production, “Les Oiseaux de Nuit,” will be presented this evening at the St. James Theatre by , the Hart-O’Brian Revue Company. This show ran with tremendous success for over two years in Paris and it was there that Mr. O'Brian bought it. He decided that “Birds of the Night’ could be produced without its original Continental artists, and to uphold his contention it ran for several years in England. Australia enthused over it, and to-night New Zealand will be given its first glimpse of practically the same show as staggered Paris. On her last visit to New Zealand a few seasons ago, Janice Hart was purely a vaudeville artist, but in “Birds of the Night” she has' scored an extraordinary success in the part originally played by the famous Josephine Baker, whom she closely resembles. Revue also led Miss Hart to broadcasting work, and she lias gained international repute as a radio star. She conceived such a liking for the microphone that for certain numbers in the stage show an amplifying system is used. The amplifiers also enable Mr. O’Brian, who is producer as

well as principal comedian, to devise spectacular sound effects. Among the highlights of the opening production will be the Rumanian Velescos, who perform extraordinary balancing feats and play musical instruments while in the most danger-ous-looking formations; Desiree (the fan-dancer) and Montigue will present a sensational dancing act entitled “Limehouse Nights,” during which Desiree is dragged about by the hair and generally knocked about; Dave James (who has four entirely different acts) is apparently afflicted with an irresistible attraction for lighted cigarettes—in the course of his act 40 or more spring mysteriously to his hands; Vic. Sanderson has been called the perfect juggler—although he performs such queer things as eating apples while juggling with them he has never been known to drop a trick. An artist of whom little has as yet. been seen, but who lias been hailed everywhere as a prodigy, is Boy Paul, a 13-year-old violinist, with an immense repertoire of classics.

Much more attention has been paid to the work of the ballet than is usual with revue companies. Whenever the ballet occupies the stage it is with a definite purpose, as part of the show—never just to fill in time. The Twelve Casino Girls were recognised as doing the best concerted work in Australia. A tremendous amount of costly furnishings and draperies travel with the company—over £lO.OOO worth in all In some instances pairs' of curtains are valued at .£4OO,