WEE GEORGIE WOOD

Evening Star, Issue 19022, 18 August 1925, Page 5

WEE GEORGIE WOOD

A DELIGHTFUL ,l KID M Last night the celebrated juvenile grown-up, “Woe ” Georgia Wood, made friends with Dunedin at His Majesty's Theatre. His chubby legs, his oonny little face, his cuddling and frankly boyish ways, and Jus keen sense of humor won him that friendship, which was further strengthened by the more mature touches which he introduced in the form of a. few lines of philosophy entitled ‘Earthenware,' recited with telling effect, and by other occasional lapses into seriousness. Indeed, ho may be described as a mixture of Wee Georgia Wood and Mr Georgs Wood: now light and boyish, then deep and manly, but always a mixture that leaves a pleasant taste behind. It would be difficult to say which of his impersonations or items last night were best. Perhaps, if a vote were taken, his ‘ Wee M'Gregor ’ might win. Ho looked the character to the life with his floppy Tam o’ Shauter and his long tartan scarf. And rich indeed was his bit crack about ‘ Mrs M'Killop ’ nud the sweeties, and about Mrs M‘Ki Hop’s landlord, who was “so mean that he went out into the yard on Christinas Eve and fired a gun so that he mmht tell his children Santa Claus had sliot himself.” M'Gregor, ye ken, was taking sweeties to old Mrs M'Killop, and he decided to give the puir buddy bis 10s note as well. But gradually boyish appetite and Scottish love of siller played havoc with his resolutions. It was all wonderfully well done. But so, also, was the main offering, ‘ Black Hand George.’ The gang was a secret society into which one had to he “nauseated,” but it fell on bad times when a brick from the hand of its leader (Georgia) missed its nbieciive (a policeman) and went through the police station window. The manner in which Georgie, reluctantly, tells his mother of the episode, and his horror when P.O. 88 appears, kept everyone bubbling with delight. Thou there was his singing and inciting oi * This Little Pig,' as it would bo done by a forgetful boy, and .several other interludes of a, highly diverting nature. Finally, after forty minutes’ work, lie concludes with a speech of thanks, tho clanger about which»s that it might make the lasting impression one ci Mr George Mood, when tho audience would, of the two, perhaps, prefer to carry away that of Wee Georgie Wood, Ihe kid. The seven supporting acts were, taking thorn as a whole, good. Tin’s was certainly so in the case of Neil M‘Kay. Neil is Scottish and a comedian, and he aroused sonia of the heartiest laughter of the evening with his Scottish-Rus-sia n, llf ghl and-Bolshovist funnyositi.es. Appearing first in a costume suggestive of those two widely different nations, lie danced and sang and gagged to an ever-increasing flood of hilarity, which overflowed when he reappeared in Jack Tar rig and danced and sang and gagged again. His stories wore mostly at the expense of the Scot, and tho Scots in the house enjoyed them immensely. Another decided success was that scored by Marie Lawton, whoso full, fresh, rich soprano voice was entirely pleasing in ballad as in operatic numbers. Her singing of ‘Ye Banks and Braes ’ was fall of feeling. Miss Lawton accompanied herself on the harp and the piano in turn, and proved herself not only a very fine vocalist, but a thorough musician. The. offerings _of Jay Wliicldcn, an accomplished violinist, were largely of the “ jiggety ” and fanciful type, though lie played some real music as well, including the sweet old song ‘Sally In Our Alloy.’ But even Sally, though introduced tunefully (a la ’cello) into the alloy, had no sooner reached the Wind end than she was twisted round and jazzed nut again. Still, it was all pleasing stuff, for Mr Whiddcn can play. Billy Maloney, who is no stranger to Dunedin, put over an entertaining act. His opening number was a wartime ditty which has become rather shop-worn, but his goods became a little-more seasonable as his act went on. ‘ Married Mans Blues' and a .song in which lie vehemently declared his liking lor all kinds ol girls were winners. “ Frank’s Canine Statuary” proved to he a scries of artistically posed tableaux in which a man and a dog were utilised to represent ‘ Forsaken,’ ‘Off to the Hunt,’ ‘ PalSj’ and other statuary groups. The steadiness and general intelligence of the canine partner in the act is astonishing. The AI do Trio was recally a duo (unless the gentleman who walks on and tics a rope is counted in the act). A. man and a sturdy young lady oo neat and clever tilings on the Roman rings, the former’s teeth being tested in ihe process by nine stone or so_ o) vapidly-twirling young lady. This act, which is a good one, was seen in Dunedin not so long ago. Tho concluding aid was that of Eddie Leslie and his Columbia Syncop-itors. This was an orthodox (if the term is applicable) jazz hand producing in tho usual manner America’s favorite noise per _ medium of saxophone, trombone, clarinet, and the customary et'crer-s. And the plasms did their duty with all the essential vim. An orchestra under the directum of Mr A. G. Frost rendered valuable assistance throughout the evening. The same programme is announced lor tonight, and the first matinee for tomorrow.