"LET'S BE HAPPY"

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 147, 23 June 1945, Page 9

"LET'S BE HAPPY"

BRIGHT MUSICAL SHOW

Popular songs, well sung, more than the usual measure of bright comedy, and some clever chorus work, combine to make "Let's Be Happy,; Stan Lawson's new musical production, a cheerful tuneful, and in several respects a delightfully enterprising show, which last night's audience at the Opera House thoroughly appreciated, with one number following on the other in smart sequence (too smart at times, it seemed), the show was kept rolling along in rollicking fashion, Harry Howiett, a newcomer with an Australian stage and radio background, headed the comedy team, and supplied a lugubrious and laughable brand of humour that quickly put him on good terms with the audience. He has a refreshing style, and it was a treat to hear some original patter put across in an original manner. His radio take-off of a four-man mob scene was firstclass. With Stan Lawson, whose versatile female impersonations were as laughable as ever, he kept things jigging along nicely. Slim Somerville stepoed in occasionally to keep the fun going. He was particularly good m the .Marx impersonation with Laurie Jones. Miss Jones, as the soubrette of the show, had a part that suited her vivaciousness and personality well, and Joyce Chambers, who is also a fine singer, was excellent in her comedy roles, her best effort being the W.A.A.C. in the station scene. In this scene also Reta Cook displayed some diverting talent, which was also revealed in her interpretation of "Salome."

In Colin Campbell, well known over the air, and Maurice Tansley, former member of the Kiwi Concert Party, the company has two first-rate singers, and both were heard pleasingly in several numbers. Colin Campbell's singing of "Old Man River" was outstanding, as was Maurice Tansley's rendition of the "Donkey's Serenade." As a matter of fact, the singing was one of the most attractive features of the show. Rowena Jackson mingled ballet dancing and acrobatics in effective fashion, and Lily Robertson's very fine violin playing was most acceptable. The plantation sketch, with its novel costuming, wSs a high light, and showed the talented chorus at its best.

The performance will be repeated this evening. *