"BETTER TIMES"

Evening Post, Issue 29, 4 February 1935, Page 4

"BETTER TIMES"

BREEZY ENTERTAINIVIENT

'Having .decided ..that 'the .^"Better Times", being experienced .are . worth celebrating, . the j. C. Williamson-Prank Neil International Variety Stars- commenced -a turn 'of brignt- and' breezyentertainment ,pn Saturday.. evening at; the;' Grand-' Opera House; v.TIle -spicQ of life'is.-well to the .fore: throughput the shp.wy 'variety , being ' the keynote.'. Tlie variety-;, (is both .in the entertainment and in those providing it. -The/level iof.artistryj throughout is high, though 6nly.-three''oi; four, of' the 'turns'- can lay claim' to ■excellence. ',f '■ '■:/.'.;■'-' v :-'r"...-..' ■■'-.: i: .■ ; ,"" ..{A'!;, ieayy. burden jis carried..b'y;;the. star cPm'edian, Joey Porter,' who'can always draw ;aj lauglr and: secure ,a:good ."hand/' In "Better", Times" he shows to; advan tags as the -'bold,1 bad bapdit" ; and also as^ ■ "PrbfeSsorV-Bhi.no," his facial contortibns! being /excellent; -Another. laughiber makei* is : Alec Halls, puts on a very-'clevet turh;'and Hppe ; and Ray,- who are full-of; bright chatter j also induce laughter at fre-f quent intervals. '■ ; : "... -. . ;

.. ;There are several dancingturns,and they; are all excellent. MaodohaTd'and Graham give a; finished performance that has: alj Qic charm ;o£Hrue: artistry, and the same can be' said of, Nice,. Florio,' and Lubpw, who: appear 'in. two of; the best turns in ■tlie "show..-.The stage acrobatics of' Nice and florio,>r^;wondev£ully,'.-n(ell done; and all three shine.in slaps and falls. Miss Lubow also provides some very clever solo dances. Les Diamondos also stand high in the- list, their adagio turns being cleverly done:' O£ the singers Miss Grace Hartjngton is outstanding, and the tenor, llussell Callow,- is also sure of a. good, reception. Bright, songs are chosen throughout, and the supporting choruses' are ajways good. The Three Ambassadors supply variety in the musical line. Their numbers provide a pleasing variety, every one being enjoyable.: .:■ ■.■■•'

iiilChe; stage management leaves nothing to be .desired, the long programme swinging along in a. pleasing way. The orchestra also deserves mention, the director, Mr. Harry Lazarus, helping ■. considerably in tho success of the show.