PRINCESS THEATRE

Evening Star, Issue 18998, 21 July 1925, Page 4

PRINCESS THEATRE

PLENTY OF FUN The new revue staged by Phil Smith and his lively little company at the Princess Theatre last night was declared by a full house to bo “Just all right.” And, as a matter of fact, it was so. ‘At the Party,’ which is its title, is merely a series of songs and stunts, but each song and stunt was a point scored, and Lire total at the finish was sufficient to place this latest playlet up amongst tho winners. Phil Smith himself was again top-scorer, and be made boundary bits, so to speak, right through his long and busy' innings. First as Charles the Butler in the sketch ‘ Conjugal Fidelity,’ next as a dame telling her matrimonial troubles to the tune ol ‘The First Forty Years are the Worst,’ and then as an hilarious person in one of the boxes _ voicing emphatic opinions regarding the “ Impossible Drama’' being enacted on the stage, and finally showing what ho thought of it by shooting the author, bo was exceedingly funny. Indeed, throughout the revuo the appearance of the popular little comedian was a signal for the laughter to swell. Nat Hanley was an able lieutenant. He made fun in his usual dryly-humorous stylo in a number of the laughterraising interludes, and—oh, yes, ho played the piano with his gloves on. William Greene, always full of sparkle, had no difficulty, ili keeping up with his whirling comrades and fitting into all kinds of niches in the various stunts. Tho same may be said, though to a lesser degree—because of more limited opoprtunily—of Robert Raymond and AI Mack. They were there when wanted, tho latter surprising the natives by looking quite Scottish in kilts. The ladies hadn’t a great deal to do, when one comes to think of it, but the periodical appearances of Peggy Peat, Ida Merton, and Phyllis Nicholson usually brought delight. Mildred O’Brien, too, did quite a lot of dancing, while tho Smiling Six acted up to their reputation, not only as smilers, but as dancers and dazzlcrs. Of individual items there wore plenty, from the funnyisius of Phil Smith to a pretty swing song, ‘ Old-iashioned Garden,’ by Peggy Rente, syncopated songs by Ida Merton, ballads by Robt. Raymond, and pinky thinks by Walter Greene. And they wore all highly acceptable. In short, ‘ The Party ’ is worth boing at. Three new acts appeared in the first part. Vince and Eva Courtney proved vivaciously entertaining in a song and patter offering that was lifted out of the ordinary rut by the introduction of pointed topicalities. The quips .about the racehorse Gloaming and Lhe bracketing of the Ark and the good ship Mararoa wore effective hits. Dances and songs wore also included in the act. Onr old friend Ernest Pitcher made another reappearance. Comedians come and go, but Ernest goes on for ever, playing waltz tunes of a century ago and telling stories which were told—■ —. However, you can’t help enjoying Ernest, often as you hear him. His red vest, red wig, and beaming countenance would lighten np any show. Francis and Clifton are also paying a return visit. This is the pair who do neat and funny things on the Roman rings, and win deserved applause in the process. The stop-overs were Aspden apd Upstone, who gave general satisfaction with a new budget of songs (the ballad ‘Some Day in Somebody’s Eyes ’ was particularly good) and piano selections, and Barbarina, who was largely indebted to her smile, and still more to her clever little Pomeranian doglct, for her success in an act comprising wirewalking, body-bending, and putting the aforesaid Pom throught his tricks. The bill, which is a bright and attractive one, taking it all round, will be repeated to-night and throughout the week.