PRINCESS THEATRE

Evening Star, Issue 19175, 16 February 1926, Page 2

PRINCESS THEATRE

ANOTHER ATTRACTIVE PROGRAMME

That rather celebrated personage the Raiah of Bhong, who, -according to the limerick, “ is famous m story and song,” is on view this week at the Princess, brazen and blustering, and ot great splash and glitter as befits his Royal Kafoozlum.” The rajah is a rare spectacle in himself, 'and. he is presented with regal ostentation Warton in the Snapshot Revue Company’s new production, but he is by no means the chief figure in the entertaining and wonderfully well-staged show that George Ward put on for the first time here last evening. Amidst __ multitude of befezzed and much.b* dizened folk, who in jjiem-variegated persons appear to be a wondrous mixture of Hindus,.Turks, Arabs, and ancient Egyptians, n couple or “white”’ sailormen soon monopolised nine-tenths of the proceedings—that is* after the raiah, his harem, and a tew less important of the dramatis persons® had had their say. The two whites had been hurled thither per balloon, which seems rather an out-of-date method of conveyance for a revile m give credence to. The aviators themselves, however, made sundry apologies for this remissness on the part of the property department by referring to it as their “flying machine. Little Hermie and Abe Cohen (George \\ard and Bert Le Blanc), the two venturesome visitors in question, found that by the grace of the all-loving Allah they had landed fair into the rajah » seraglio. And a promising spot it appeared, judged by the samples of comely feminity that gave them greeting ; but alas and_ alack! they were soon regretting having strayed into hw domestic menage, being ultimately threatened with a number of spectacular deaths by the horde of gaudilydecorated henchmen. How they eventually escaped is portrayed in a number of wildly diverting incidents, the chief fun-makers handing out largo ladlefuls of comedy in their usual prodigal mariner. Between all the alarms and excursions plenty of opportunities are afforded the vocalists of exercising their not inconsiderable talents. Amongst them Patsie Hill and Vernon Sellars take pride of place, both in solo and duet, the latter’s ‘ Bedoum Love Song ’ being a particularly tuneful effort.' Bert Le Blanc resurrected the ancient ‘ Sheik of Avenue B, though he sang it with such gusto that regular patrons forgot how many times previously they had heard it sung. Daisy Yates and Carlton Chase found favor with their melodious offering, whilst Dorrie Tointon and Yorke Gray, with the assistance of the Snapshot Six, whirled and twirled about with perspiring vimfulness in the picturesque f Ballet de Mummee.’ Phil Lopaz, a juggler who makes strenuous efforts to present something a little different from the shop-worn goods that these fellows persist in foisting on audiences year after year, is a welcome addition to the vaudeville half. He succeeds in putting across an enjoyable turn, but his make-up can only be described as ghastly, and quite spoils what could esily be made the best act of its kind seen in the house for a long time. The newcomer performs all sorts of preposterous things in a serious manner, and a variety of serious things in an hilariously preposterous way. A couple of old triends in the Muriajne Duo are back again. Murfayne (the other half of the duo is Ella Airlie) hammer away at a xylophone and extracted slices of soulful harmonics m quite the best Murlayuo manner. The lady herself accompanied her partner on the piano, and when ho retired for a breather the audience was by r.o means becalmed in the doldrums, for she retains all her powers of songfu.ness, her most successful venture in this direction being ' Sunny Jim,’ one or those child studies that she does so well. Followed some more raps on the xylophone and a succession ot -popular melodies. Cardini was the next to step forward, this time minus his fluttering packs, but armed instead with a magic kettle that produced a wondrous variety of beverages hitherto not dispensed in public after 6 p.m., but nevertheless an innovation that found great favor amongst the driest of the “wets” in the stalls. Cardini tried his far from ’prentice hand at a number of amazing stunts, and had everyone guessing at the finish, though frequently he was considerate enough to show “how it’s done.” The Four Little Kellys, a winsome quartet of music-makers, went off the stage looking as if they had had a good night with the “ rol'.downs ” at the Amusement Park. ' And they deserved the chocolates and the hearty plaudits, for they fiddler] with grace anO demonstrated talents of no mean order. The grand and grandiose Littlejohns, in their panoply of glittering raiment, presented an alluring spectacle when they burst into view on their spherical contraptions. Apart from the wondrous glitter that surrounds them, they are both graceful artists, the lithesome lady especially giving a wonderful perform a nee, which was a blend of juggling. dancing, and acrobatics. This is well described as the act beautiful. _ The programme will be repeated this evening.