"LOOK WHO'S HERE"

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 42, 18 February 1918, Page 3

"LOOK WHO'S HERE"

A CLEVER COMPANY

A judicious blending of clever gaiety and delightful music characterises the "Look Who's Here" Company, which opened a season in the Grand Opera House on Saturday night. The clever artists have every reason to be pleased with the reception accorded them by an audience which filled tTie theatre in every part. "Every item is a star turn," said an enthusiastic patron at the conclusion of the show on Saturday night, and. while this may be slightly exaggerated, it is sufficiently near the truth to merit repetition. The entertainment provided is bright and wholesome, and a feature i; the excellent stage management and setting. From first to last, : the show goes merrily op, and although the programme is a lengthy one it is with a feeling of regret that the last item is reached.

All'old favourites with the Wellington public, the artists on Saturday night renewed their former triumphs. Concerted items which arc most amusing are the court scene and a burlesque on sports, including football and cricket. This latter is very .funny. A Hungarian band burlesque by Jack Waller, Wylie Watson, and Fred. Dennett, as well as being actually clever from a musical point of view, contains good comedy. Another most attractive portion of the programme is that devoted to the popular "potted" dramas, and more mirth is provided by the company in an item entitled " A 'Vocal and Terpsichorean Restaurant," with Wylie Watson as the. waiter. Howard Hall and Wylie Wateon provide much merriment in a burlesque recruiting scene. The' purely musical items a.re delightful. Mr. Gregory Ivanoff delighted his hearers with his violin rendition of a fantasie on "Faust" (Wieniawski), and Fred. Dennett, the talented pianist,. was heard to much advantage in the Finale ot Mendelssohn's Concerto, Op. 25. Each of these artists was compelled to respond to an insistent demand for an encore. The "Ideal Trio"—Gregory Ivanoff, Fred. Dennett, and Wylie Watson (violin, piano, anfl 'cello) —play charmingly, giving a variety of excerpts', from grand opera to ragtime. Howard Hall uses his releasing voice rather well, and the three Whites—Dorothy, Dick, and Lee—arc* clever in their* original dancing. Portions of a burlesque scene, t "On Board the Pianola," are humorous," and the Work of the Purple Band, under Mr. S. Waller, is of a very high order of merit.. As a. finale, Tschaiskowsky's overture, "1812," is played, the instruments used being four pianos,, violin, 'cello, and bells. There is a dramatic prologue by Jack Waller as Napoleon, and the whole item .is remarkably well done.

There would seem to be sina.ll doubtthat the company is in for a successful season here, and there is equally little doubt that they deserve it. From any standpoint the show is a good one.