PRINCESS THEATRE

Evening Star, Issue 18504, 11 December 1923, Page 7

P RINCESS THEATRE

THE NEW BILL. The only newcomer into the vaudeville section of tho bill at the Princess Theatre last night was one well known to Fuller patrons—to wit, Les Warton. Les lias the mobile mouth and the lusty lungs necessary for tbo singing of coon songs, and his contributions last night in that direction were lifelike. Neither his songs nor his stories, however, could truthfully be labelled “the very latest”; nevertheless, they raised hearty laughter, and were obviously enjoyed, even Die story of tha boys and the apples, which is almost as venerable as the old original apple-stealing story by Mr Adam. Will Hastings put over a characteristic act, consisting of au opening song about the vfigaries of Delaney’s donkey and a series of selections on various'- musical instruments. The Deloraines—“the beauty and the boast”— sported precariously on the revolving ladder, especially the beauty, who was responsible for most of the showy work that makes the act an attractive one. A Topical Gazette was screened as an opening item, and the events depicted were of an interesting character, well and clearly projected. The revue this week is entitled ‘ln the Bank.’ Stiffy and Mo are clerks in this particular institution, and, as might be expected, are not backward in the matter of helping themselves from the safe whenever funds are necessary for the numerous betting transactions indulged in, or for social excursions to tea rooms with “ tabbies.” There are many strange and some entertaining doings in the banking chamber, and the dancing and singing interludes are by no means the least attractive. The comedy, it need hardly bo said, is provided mainly by Roy Rene, his particular stylo of burlesque creating a lot of fun. It might bo added that the action in some of the scenes (especially in Die “good-bye” scene) is unduly prolonged. Possibly Messrs Reno and Phillips had Romeo’s wish in their minds when they planned it. Nat Phillips provided the rougher type of humor which is familiar in most productions of the kind. ‘ln tho Bank ’ may be set down as a typical revue ns wo know it at the Princess—a series of stunts, some songs, bright work by the chorus, and a plot that begins nowhere and ends in the same place. Nat Phillips, when he put tho thing together, was not obsessed with the idea of being original; he did what ■was possibly bettor in the circumstances—chose proved successes of the past (immediate and otherwise) and strung them together, or, rather, left them to be strung together by the cord of fun provided by Roy Reno and himself. The cord became a little frayed occasionally, but held to the end. The supports were, as usual, vocally strong, and covered a wide range of songs and duets. Connors and Paul, Dot Davis, Peter Brooks, Keith Connolly, Nat Phillips, and Gladys Shaw all contributed. Tomigbt the vaudeville section will bo strengthened by the appearance of Signor Coscia and Signora Ooelho, two Italian vocal stars, who are said to have created most favorable impressions elsewhere.