PRINCESS THEATRE

Evening Star, Issue 19442, 28 December 1926, Page 2

PRINCESS THEATRE

HECTOR ST. CUIR REVUE The reopening of the Princess Theatre yesterday after its Christmas week period of darkness was marked by two packed houses. And not only in point of numbers but in the matter of joyfulness was the occasion noteworthy—both at the matinee and at the evening performance the house rang with laughter and applause. The chief attraction was the first appearance of Hector St. Clair and his revue company, and no more effective introduction could have been made than that when the curtain parted to reveal a wan and doleful figure, which, after much labor, droned forth into uncheerful but comical song, the burden of which was “Never mind if things look glum; you’re sure to find there’s worse to come.” This was Hector St. Clair himself, and the clever comedian was forthwith received with joy , and welcomed with hilarious delight at every subsequent appearance. He has the voice, the mobile features, and the natural humor; and our people here like him.

Amongst the rest of the company are some very capable artists also. Leslie Pearce, a debonair stylist, and a good vocalist, who sings songs, such as ■ Sleepy Time Gal ’ and ‘ I'll Take Her Back,’ which, though of the “ popular ” description, scarcely do justice to his voice. Hylton Osborne, also sings nicely, his ‘Ships That Never Come In ’ (which is partly monologue) and his duet 4 The Bells of St. Mary’s ’ with Maylin Magill being tuneful items. So far, however, no great vocal strength has been revealed on the feminine side. Quite a dainty duo are the two Rodney girls. Op to now they had been a trio, but one of the sisters has unfortunately fallen ill, and so the two remaining ones carry on. They dance and sing and, both in their work and their appearance, are highly attractive. Then there is Ray M'Lean, a whirlwind dancer, who gave a glimpse of his powers in a dance duo with Hot Crosweil. Lillian Grey is prominent throughout in, leading parts in sketches, ana Victor Roberts is a veritable utility man. That is all. There are no “chorus ladies,” an omission which many will deem quite excusable, and the oifering consists of sketches, comedy stunts, and individual acts; all good. Of the sketches an uproariously funny one was that in which Hector St. Clair undertakes to mind a neighbor’s baby and, after consultation with a male friend and a book of instructions, solves the problem of warmth by placing his charge in the oven only to find that the incubation, so to speak, also results in growth to an alarming extent. An excellent item was the monologue, ‘ The Difference,’ a story of sentiment in which the parts of the “down and outer” and the blind lord were splendidly portrayed by Hector St. Clair and Victor Roberts respectively. 4 Old Jokes Retold ’ was a series of snapshot scenes illustrating well-worn but pointful jokes, which were certainly given new life by the treatment. The Rodney Girls—the one bobbed and serious, the other shingled and full of fun—sang jinkily of a girl of understanding nature. They danced well, too. An amusing 4 Back to Schooldays ’ sketch by the whole company brought a bright and breezy production, _ appropriately named 4 Something Doing,’ to a conclusion.

The first part of the bill was also a most entertaining one, the two new acts proving successes. M’Donald and Payne are two Scots who give the lie direct to those who assert that folk from North of the Tweed joke wi’ deeficulty. They are a pair of bright humorists, the male partner particularly possessing a quick and pretty wit, the exercise of which kept the house a-bubble. He explained away a false start in one of his songs by saying he had trouble wi’ his teeth; he’d lent them to a chap to go to a dance wi’, and he’d given him back the wrong ones. Mao is a clever pianist also, and his imitation on that instrument of three neighbors playing three different tunes was good. His sonsy partner helps with songs and patter and dance. Grant and Bates, “twobright spots from Darktown,” are thus well described. The male partner’s complexion is of the kind that comes off in the wash, but the lady is “ the real thing,” and buxom. The former has some funny yarns and songs, told and sung in real “niggah” style, and his legs wiggle and his feet twinkle to some purpose in a wild burst of dancing. The lady helps a lot in the talk, as a lady should, and sings in that quaint rather than musical way that mostly characterises the colored vocalist. Fuller patrons were glad to note that Clyde and Yvette had been retained in the bill. Their act is one which always pleases. The dainty little y ve tte— a tiny miniature, with black bobbed hair—dances so prettily. . and looks so captivating; while Clyde sings, whistles, and dances, and does it all cleverly. Their act this week is specially good. Sam Stern continues to arouse enthusiasm with his Hebrew and Italian character studies, including the favorites 4 Margnenta ’ and 4 I°Want a Man.’ Hu ley and Bent put over another of their hurricane comedy acts, in which “ Percy ’ was alternately fawned upon and abused by his lady partner. Their frenzied foolishness’was much enjoyed. The same bill will he repeated tonight and for the rest of the week.