FRANK NEIL’S REVUE

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 270, 11 August 1938, Page 16

FRANK NEIL’S REVUE

The Original Popeye. Tlie box plans will, be opened to-mor-row for the big Hollywood rovue, "Hello Popeye,” which is to be presented under the direction of J. C. Williamson Theatres by Frank Neil's splendid aggregatioii of international artists, headed by the world-famous Billy Costello, whose voice is the voice wo hear on the Popeye the Sailornian cartoons, at the Grand. Opera House, Wellington, fur a brief season, beginning on Wednesday afternoon next, the matinee commencing at 3.30. It is only once in a generation that New Zealanders arc given an opportunity to witness in person a noted screen artist, so it is not surprising to learn that unusual interest has been infused in the appearance here of Billy Costello, whose outstanding talents are, it is said, presented to even greater advantage on the stage than they ?re on the screen. The daily and nightly scenes inside and outside of His Majesty’s Theatre, Auckland, during a run of "Hello Pupeye” there, were thrilling in the extreme, as before each performance the whole of the traffic in the precincts of the theatre was congested by the crowds which gathered to catch a glimpse of the hero of the Popeye cartoons. Frank Neil's revue is, however, not a “one-man” show, and a glance'at the names of those in, Frank Neil’s latest revue will demonstrate the fact that associated with Mr. Costello is the best allround combination of revue and variety artists that has toured this Dominion for some time. Sid Page comes with a reputation, that of being one of New York s best comedians, and with him are Joey Porter, whose drollery proved air outstanding attraction in a previous Frank Neil revue. Peggy Earle, comedienne, and Ruth Rudie. an eccentric dancer and t-'oubrelte. We have on many occasions been entertained by adagio dancers,_ but for sheer artistry in this direction it is said that the Elite Trio stand alone on tlie stage to-day