"HELLO, POPEYE."

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 44, 20 August 1938, Page 11

"HELLO, POPEYE."

Although Billy Costello, the "Voice of Popeye," was unable to make an apoearance at last night's performance of "the Frank Neil Revue Company now at the New Opera House, the audience was still very well satisfied with the bright entertainment provided by the show. Frank Neil, on this occasion, has assembled one of the best ballet ensembles to visit New Zealand with a revue company. The work of the ballet in "Hello, Popeye" is really outstanding and sets a new standard in this type of production. Not only the stage effects and settings, but the dancing and costuming are first rate. One of the most versatile revue artists seen in New Zealand for some time is Billy Hayes, who does an exceptionally bright line of patter and tap dancing and all the while succeeds in keeping three dancing balls performing intricate evolutions from one hand to the' other. Other excellent features of a very bright programme are the gawky antics of Ruth Rudie in the character of Pop eye's well-known partner, Olive Oil, the eccentric dancing of the Ritchie Brothers, the Elite Trio, adagio dancers, the Kermode acrobats, and Horrie Dargie, a very versatile harmonica player. The comedy element is entrusted chiefly to Syd. Page and Joey Porter, who either together or apart are always entertaining. "Hello, Popeye" will undoubtedly be a very popular show with Wellington audiences. ■