FRANK NEIL REVUE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 106, 28 January 1939, Page 13

FRANK NEIL REVUE

“Parade Of Laughter” With Will Mahoney and a big cast of popular favourites, the Frank Neil Revue Company's “Parade of Laughter,” at the Grand Opera House, kept the large alidience last night in high good humour. Variety was, of course, the keynote, and those who enjoyed the previous programme, “Why Be Serious?’’ had no cause to complain of the quality of the entertainment offered. Will Mahoney has a sure touch in the humorous sketches with which the revue is studded, and in addition his dance on the xylophone held his listeners spellbound. His dancing, too. was clever and nimble, and his wit spontaneous and free. One would have liked a longer appearance of Violet Carlson, who had the audience laughing at and with her almost from the first moment she appeared on the stage. Her singing voice is good when she gives it a chance, but it was for her quips and pranks and jokes that, the audience loved this diminutive personage, whose utterances were in marked contrast to her childlike appearance. Evie Hayes, whose lovely voice is backed up by a charming stage manner, was deservedly popular, and other favourites were Tex Morton, the yodelling cowboy. Lawrence Brooks, vocalist, Jimne, the sleight-of-hand artist, Whitey Roberts, comedy juggler, and Johnny Bryant, whose whistling and birdcall imitations were excellent. “Parade of Laughter” will be presented at a matinee today, and the season will conclude tonight.