PRINCESS'THEATRE

Evening Star, Issue 19193, 9 March 1926, Page 2

PRINCESS'THEATRE

ANOTHER BOUNTEOUS OFFERING Princess patrons last evening no doubt looked twice at their surroundings when they had glanced at the bill of faro, in order to make certain that they hadn’t strayed by mistake into a Sanclow institute. To begin with, _the revue boro the title of ‘ Keeping Fit,' which suggested that in place of the wild caperings of the Snapshotters those present wore to bo treated to something a la “physical culture,” in which sundry thewy gentlemen with elephantine biceps and complete anatomical outfits on suite, would perspiringly demonstrate the value of physical jerks and other strenuous exercises beloved by the would-be Hercules brethren. A couple of performers not imappropriately styled “gladiatorial exponents” did suggest that they were “ keeping fit ” in the above-described maimer, but they had nothing to do with the revue. Ward’s show should serve to revitalise the most faded and jaded, however, though, without the use of dumbells or similar contraptions, because after an extremely promising start tho fun moved crescendo fashion through the piece, and culminated in a perfect riot. Hermio this time found himself in a sanatorium, with a weak lung and a much more serious affliction in the shape of a wife who had the unfortunate habit of turning up, with that true feminine perversity, at the wrong moment. Fortunately for the hero, she also possessed that other feminine trait of being gloriously wrong in her deductions when the outlook appeared most gloomy. The sanatorium, by the way, was described early in the proceedings as a “very quiet place—just like a Sunday school,” whilst its inmates were counselled to “ only speak in whispers ” —but the advent of Hormie destroyed the Sunday school atmosphere, whilst “say it with amplifiers ” appeared to be tho motto of all who entered into converse. One La Bello Mario, one of those inveigling “ Continental actresses,” who invariably find themselves hi musical comedy in the role.of the Theda Bara of tho piece, quickly got Hermio into her spacious net, and most nt tho complicated situations portrayed his valiant stragglings to got himself out again. Hermio wasn’t tho only one to _ keep tho audience in a state of violent laughter, as Mike O’Brien (Les Wharton), ns the deaf patient, did this quite successfully, though humor of this kind is naturally of tho extremely elementary order. Bert Lo Blanc had less opportunities to sparkle this time, but was still Abe Cohen, and Abo, ol course, has only to put in an appearance to raise the general level of the cheerfulness of things considerably. Daisy Yates put in" a hard evening's work, and if she didn’t got much of the applause herself she was frequently responsible for laying tho train for the final explosion. Yorkc Gray was only seen at rare intervals, hut Falsie Hill, •m La Belle, drifted in and out at frequent intervals, though it was when she came armed with a song that her presence was most welcome. There is one vocal gem this week, and that_ is the tuneful ‘ Rainbow Alley,’ in which t’afsio Hill and Vernon Sellars conspire to entrance the cars of their increasingly large army ol admirers. Daisy Yates, Lila Marion, Yorkc Gray, Carlton Chase, and Dorrie Toiuton all added a mellifluous note or two. ‘ Keeping Fit,’ like the seven previous revues, was staged with rare taste. The Romano Brothers provided a real “classy” turn in the first half in a beautiful series of living statuary post.-*, portrayed with distinguished artistry. These Were two performers who were soon in such familiar tableaux as tho discus thrower, tho hunter, Rugby players, etc., whilst another series showed tho characteristic poses and punches of some stars of tho boxing ring. One of tho artists concluded tho performance with a physical_ culture exhibition. The act, considering its novelty, was surprisingly well received. The Janetski Trio wore tho oilier newcomers. One expected _to seo some fearsome personages attired in Bolshevik whiskers, but instead the throe were an. extremely well-groomed _ lot, of cheerful mien, and not inconsiderable musical talent, who extracted pleasing; melodies irom their marimbaphnnes (alias xylophones). Tho selection from ‘William Tell’ naturally found favor with tho multitude, and so did, sorrowfully as it must be admitted, that singular piece of pathos ' Moonlight and Roses.’ _ Alec lyellaway opened Jiis account with something that might bo called “ saccharine and molasses,” but probably it had some more dignified title than'that. ‘ Savannah’ and ‘ The Borer ’ were. Ids oi lier efforts, the former being inane enough to wring tho withers of the most be jazzed andi tor. Reluctantly one is_ compelled to reiterate that. Kcllawny is wasting his talent on sheer rubbish. Florence and Clifton repeated their thrilling gymnastic act, the applause indicating that it was ns popular as over. Tho programme will ho repeated tonight and throughout the week.