PRINCESS THEATRE

Evening Star, Issue 19129, 22 December 1925, Page 1

PRINCESS THEATRE

CHRISTMAS WEEK BILL' Jim Narko, the “ Horry Masque* rader,” is one nf Jim Gerald’s best characters. He is really funny when* passing himself off as an American millionaire, he burlesques the swank, tha accent, and the quaint expressions of the dyed-in-the-wool Yank. And tluj imaginary adventures he conjures up—< the fearful fight with Big Chief Cramp* in-the-pinnie, the conquest of the foxy mustang, and so on. The object of thi impersonation is to gain for himself and Ids adventurer friend Claude 3 trifle of £5,000 which is to be paid over when the delectable Marjory becomesengaged to the (supposed) millionaire* Strange how all these American revues depend upon “ crook ” transactions for ploff The playlet in which all this happens is, of course, mostly Jim Gerald, and he revels in the spotlight. Mona Thomas as tho fascinating Marjorie has, however, a congenial part, of which she makes the very most. She looks well, and one weeps to think that she should “ fall ” to the slop-suited Nnrke at the finish, even though bo had succeeded in breaking the bank and lifting a hat full of money. Miss Thomas’s two songs— * Ma Cheree ’ and ‘ My Dear Soul ’—were the vocal gems of the ovenino, except that the duet, ‘ Sitting in a Corner,’ in which she collaborated with Erme Crawford, was equally good. Needless to say, Jim Gerald brought down the house with the ancient ‘ Paddy M’Ginty’s Gloat * (interspersed with the favorite exclamations ; “What the are you laughing at?” and “For G— sake”). Other items wore given by Adelaida Taylor, Linda Dale, and Reg. Hawthorne. Linda Dale, by the way, did very well as Betty, an old flame of Narko’s, who flared up on meeting him again, but flickered out when she found her husband was not, as she thought, dead. Reg, Hawthorne as the cutler with an impediment in his knee action amused laughter whenever he got the chance. A ballet, ‘The Harlequinade,* in which Reg. Hawthorne, Polly M'Larcn, and the Twinklcrs took part, was very well done. In the vaudeville smtion were font first-class acts. John Moore and Jenny Roy recoived a warm welcome, and put over an entertaining act. John, as a Jack Tar returned from a cruise, somewhat dolefully serenades his lady love, but. while she is completing her ablutions. ho keens the audience_ in good humor by telling funny stories. The fact that John has been on a long voyage excuses the chestnutty flavor of soine of these. Then when Jenny appears she “ spoons wi’ him ” and dances for his (and tho audience’s) delight a Highland fling. John has a good voice and Jenny nimble feet, and between idiom they please. Sara Stern a decided hit with a series of his favorite Yiddish and Italian impersonations, ospcc ially “ Marie ” and “ Banana.*' Sam has personality, and turns simple, almost puerile, stuff into_ something onite appealing. Good as his and John Moore’s acts are. however, they might each he curtailed a little to allow of ihe first half finishing in reasonable time. Barclay, a magician, did a few tricks which'in themselves _ wane not very new nor very astounding. They were well done nevertheless;, hut what lifted the act out of the ordinary was the novel way the artist went about his work. lie made it appear that ho was learning the tricks from a book of instructions which he perused the whole time. All credit, to him for a touch of originality. Lesley Elliott, well established in favor, sang a number of self-accompanied at the piano. Most of them were of the “wink the other eve ” sophisticated typo that delights those who, in similar circumstances to those described in tho ditties, would ho very much at a loss. Mr Fred Stokes and his orchestra were, as usual, a big help and a. pleasure to listen to. Altogether the bill is a bright and attractive one.