MUSIC AND COMEDY

Evening Star, Issue 19518, 28 March 1927, Page 2

MUSIC AND COMEDY

HUMPHREY BISHOP COMPANY The audience at His Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday night gave the Humphrey Bishop Company a. pnrticujlarly cordial welcome, and thoroughly I enjoyed the entertainment which the ' eleven capable artists provided. The j show is run on orthodox lines; that is to say, it is what was called in years gone by “ costume comedy,” and is now erroneously described as “ revue,” or, still more erroneously, “ musical comedy.” Whatever it may be called, the essentia]'feature of this class of entertainment is brightness, and the Humphrey Bishop Company certainly see to it that this is forthcoming. The comedy element is. of course, prominent, and there is plenty of dancing; hut strongest of all is the vocal department. In this the combination differs from the usual run of revue companies, in which the sopranos, tenors, baritones, and so forth are, more often than not, conspicuous for their limitations. Walter Kingsley is n baritone with a voice of exceptionally fine quality, and his singing of ‘ Just a Cottage Small,’.‘The Stoker,’ and ‘The Prisoner’s Song ’ proved one of the best received turns of the evening. He also collaborated effectively with Thelma Trott in the duct ‘Night of Love.’ Miss Trott’s handling of the soprano role in the Miserere scene from ‘ II Trovatore’ won the appreciation of the audience. The tenor part in this item was taken by Fred Webber, and taken particularly well. Later ho scored heavily in a series of duets with Dorothy Ryder, who exhibited her versatility hy singing a song in which she expressed her preference to cavemen methods, and hy successfully taking part in' a delightful dancing quartet number. Another vocalist who aroused the enthusiasm of the audience was John Montford, described as ‘ the whispering tenor.” This artist sang very sweetly 1 My Irish Home Sweet Home, 1 and added an even prettier number, ‘Have You Forgotten Yvonne?’ Tire exceptional all-round strength of the company in vocalisation \yas revealed in their singing of the Anvil Chorus (‘ II Trovatore’), with which the first part of the programme concluded, and the quintet ‘Sitting on Top of the World,’ a specially pleasing thing. The broad comedy was entirely in the hands of George Ross, otherwise known as “ Seratchef.” whose work was so effective that ho very soon had members of the audience rolling in their seats overcome with merriment. Mr Ross’s success was largely personal, for both in method and matter he differed little from dozens of other comedians who have visited Dunedin at various times. But the Cockney stage carpenter make-up, the friendly, good-natured tone, and the touch of whimsicality appealed to the house. His best turn was that which finished with a burst of tromboning, “ Scratcher’s ” efforts with the slidingjnstrumcnt resulting in the sudden and rapid disappearance ..f table covers, music stools, and even of a miniature lady from a miniature bath. He was also very funny as a waiter in the final scene. and in a stunt at (ho piano, in which ho played the instrument while in ail sorts of improbable positions. Mark Leslie was invaluable in light comedy, concerted ?,nd dancing numbers. His chief offerings were ‘Popularity,’ a song in which ho had the assistance of a bevy of attractive girls, and the comedy duo ‘My Baby ’ with Elaine Mayo, a young lady who appeared with pleasing result on other occasions, particularly in a song m which she asked ‘ What Makes the Johnnies Follow Me Everywhere?’ The audience knew, so did the “Johnnies,” who illustrated the song by following her—it. was the smile, the glance, and the bit of lace, of course. Then thcie was Charles Albert, in whom old then-, tregoers recognised the same Charlie. Albert , of well-remembered Polln.d days. That he is still able to hold his own was manifested on several occasions on Saturday. His little sketch with Evadne Royle was well done. In this Charles dictates a Wo letter to the typist, who gets it gloriously mixed. But disentanglement comes when visitor and typist (both in full evening dress) find they love each other. Mr Albert’s voice was of groat assistance in concerted numbers, and his “ dame ” number aroused much laughter. Mr Humphrey Bishop himself confined his activities largely to wielding the baton in the orchestra well, from whence he introduces in verse each member of his company as ho or she enters after the rise of the curtain. During the opening chorus, by the way, the brasses and drums in the orchestra gave notice that they intended “ going the limit” even if_ it drowned the voices. But the notice was quickly withdrawn, and everything subsequently was just right. The same programme will be given each night until Thursday, when an entire change is promised.