PRINCESS THEATRE

Evening Star, Issue 18811, 9 December 1924, Page 5

PRINCESS THEATRE

SENSATIONAL ACROBATIC TURN.

Most of those varied ingredients that, jointly and severally, go to tho making of a Vaudeville programme found a place on the bill that attracted a largo audience to the Princess Theatre last evening. Heading the list of attractions is tin? turn presented by the Lecardo Bros., which tho programme quite modestly describes as being “ something unusual in acrobatics.” These, entertainers are far removed from the class of muscular and perspiring 'gentlemen who essay, per medium of a thewy and sinewy frame, to accomplish certain leafs familiar since tho circus made its bow in a primeval ago. The Lecardos eschew stereotyped tumbling and similar antics, and have evolved a unique knockabout act, which romps homo an easy winner compared with anything previously seen here. “ Take him up tenderly, lift him with care ” is not the motto of these ironclad, fearless gladiators. No mercy is asked, and no quarter is given. They arc apparently out to end each other’s careers, and it is miraculous how they apparently escape serious injury. They hurtle through tho air, and come to grief full length on the far from tender bosom of “ mother stage,” and then when it looks as it (ho ambulance is required they bound up on their feet again, as if encased in rubber. One of tho performers whirls about on the swivol-liko shoulders of the other, and after Catherine wheeling about for some time drops to the floor like a log, to the accompaniment of a sickly thud. It is longh-liown comedy, but it is an act that thoroughly deserved all the applause it received, and the audience’s hands must have been as sore a.s the Lecardo’s bodies.

A dainty drawing room 1 urn is staged by Cailand and Hooper, who harmonise in the old-fashioned way at the piano. The gentleman is a. pleasing songster, but his hands arc surely a little troublesome, describing figures like a hula dancer’s. ‘Failed ’ is, of course, a portion of their repertoire, and another melodious offering was ‘lf It Takes a. Thousand Years.’ The evergreen ‘ Floral Dance,’ more declaimed than sung, was not the least of their allures. Lilas Birt has developed a decided tremolo or St. Vitus dance of the voice, and gave the audience full advantage of this added “accomplishment” in such classical (id-bits as 1 Whooping Cough,’ ‘My Gal Sal,’ and ‘Banana,' Jenny Roy, one of the small army of Scottish invaders who figure on the bill, ventured a “ slight impression ” of an “ Italiano ” girl. This was chiefly remarkable for the fact that (hero was no mention of such national matters as banana, macaroni, spaghetti, and other delicacies favored by the Fascist). The lady indulged in a. great deal of high kicking, and altogether received a full share of her auditors’ good wishes.

Comediennes and sonhrottes who sing ‘My Sweet Hortcuse ’ nvo legion, and so are those who appear as “ sweet soventeons,” and all hough Miss Jena Joostn, w:ho comes “ direct from Africa ” Ho show us how winsome she is, lays no (claim to originality, this shock-headed little lady sets the heart-strings aquiver with her melodramatic, version of ‘ I Ain’t Nobody’s Darling.’ No doubt there wore those who would liked to have rectified the matter. Elegance combined with adroitness. It is as if a tornado struck the building when Messrs Vauda and Verne sally forth with a fresh series of quizzical quatrains. These dizzy jongleurs strummed their lyres with increased ferofcity last evening, besides tickling the palates with a number of jests about our local notabilities. They have some felicitous mummery anent the closing of the hotels, and kept up an alarming cross-firo on innumerable other topics. To record tho instruments played by Frank Wilson, who made a welcome reappearance, would be like reading a music-shop catalogue. The trombone, concertinas of various sizes, ocarina, saxophone, cornet, etc., all produced dulcet melodies under Frank’s guidance, and ho literally blew himself mto the ears and hearts of those forgathered. John Moore this week is a “ Ragged Vagabond,” and the sweet-voiced Scot found the matter of retiring a difficult proposition, the audience finding him eminently to their taste. Songs he gave in plenty, and between times had something to say about tho much-advertised failings of his kinsmen and clansmen. Fellow-countryman, Jock Mills was also present, and"he assisted not a little in galvanising the audience into certain public expressions of approval of the fare on offer. Tho (Megan Brothers display both finesse and finish, and their wiggle-wag-geries and more graceful steps, combined with the plaintive mandolin melodies, assisted in making this one of tho _ most jaunty and natty turns of the evening. The programme will be presented again this evening. J