PRINCESS THEATRE

Evening Star, Issue 18668, 24 June 1924, Page 7

PRINCESS THEATRE

WALLACE’S NEW REVUE. New goods from old producers, so to speak, "wore what Princess Theatre patrons enjoyed last night. In other words, all the performers have been with ns long enough to have earned a local reputation, but their turns were new, and it is safe to say that the turns also will earn a highly favorable reputation before the week; is out. At any rate, they were started on the light track last night with the plaudits of an audience that had reason to be appreciative. The best of the parcel of good things? Well, Taken and Koma Namba, versatile pair that they are, have an advantage in that they amuse cue thoroughly as well as giving a most thorough exposition of head balancing. An act that intermixes comedy with cleverness of another sort is usuallv comparatively weak in ono department, but it is not so in this ease. The feats of Koma Namba, especially, are of the kind to stick in the memory: il is a rarity, indeed, to see a. man “ walk ” up a stairway on his head. Then, on the strictly vaudeville side of the bill, there were George Edwards and Miss Elsie Sylvamiy in a sketch called /Saturday Afternoon.’ The scene is laid in the kitchen of Hilly Gosling (George Edwards), upon whom Mrs Do Vere Ponsonbv (.Miss Sylvannry) calls on “delicate business”—viz., to arrange that Hill’s daughter shall see no more of her son. The names of the parties give a duo to the. course the conversation is likely to take, and it will suffice to say here that the dignity of Mrs Ron son by receives many rude shocks before (he negotiations are completed—completed, it may be added, to the eventual satisfaction of both parties and the substantial enrichment of the irrepressible Gosling. Bert Harrow is a comedian who is always doing something, and consequently there are no slack moments in bis (urn. He scored a big bit. with a “ ongue-twist-er ” song entitled ‘Shoe Shops.’ and his trombone solo. ‘ Joe,.’ also went very well. Jack /Martin repeated some of his lariat tricks, ami introduced a few new ones, talking the while in his droll way.

‘ Sonic Night- ’ is the title of the n*'w Wallace rovne, writ.f-on by George Wallace himself. it is a poor! rovne, but it is made so more by the calibre of the company than by its construction. If ‘Some Night’ were produced l,v anything hut strong artists it might not- work up so much enthusiasm. But. with the iniinilable George at the head and his staunch supporters behind, Die niece goes with a swing, and the most is made of the dialogue and the best is raised from the situations. And the result is a successful revue. A party at Die mansion of Air Do Brunt on decide for a night in the underworld. The magic lamp is produced, the genic appears, and the partv is overcome, by Deep, in the course of which its members aiv wafted in •'* crook-land,” where many experiences, strange- and new, constitute. “ some, night.” One scene is laid at a pie stall, and it is in this ibnl some ol Die host ol the comedy is brought to light, the adventures of I,lm assistant to the keeper of Die stall (George Wallace), witlp various stragglers of the night, ranging Dorn a “ Johnny ” to “ toughs,” and from ;m opera singer to a female ‘‘elope’’ fjenr], giving him plenty of scope for his outstanding gift'-'.' 7n this scene, too, a touch of pathos is introduced when the policeman (.Marshall Crosby) discovers that lie is the uncle of a “tough” and the dope” fiend. Mr Crnshy’s fine voice is beard with telling effect' as ho sings ‘ Old Pal,’ and holds before the wavward ones the photograph of their dead mother. Air Crosby also acts the part- of the Italian proprietor of the stall with all iTm color that the part denpinds. Miss Mario Nyman malms a convincing “Hope” 'fiend. There are also a number of amusing situations in the scene showing the interior of the saloon of one Murphy (Mr Crosby), where the crooks forgather, and where are given one or two realistic glimpses of things as they should not bn in a society strictly law-abiding. Some of the musical numbers arc particularly attractive, and the dresses of Die ladies are pretty and bright. Following are the songs that were sung: ‘ Molontirnc in Dixieland ’ (company), ‘ Hon, Skip, and Jump’ Blacky White and Charles Lawrence), ‘ Dandy Porters ’ (ladies), 1 Mabel ’ /George Wallace), ‘ Dearest ’ (Mario Nyman), ‘lnn of Mahmoncy’ (Tom Lincoln), ‘Blue Hooseors Bines’ (Sadie Tilhuru), ‘ Good Night,’ and ‘ All Out of Stop but Jim ’ Crosby). The programme will be repeated tonight.