PRINCESS THEATRE

Evening Star, Issue 19519, 29 March 1927, Page 5

PRINCESS THEATRE

“ FROLICS " AND FOR Fun and “Frolics” are synonymous. A packed house at the Princess Theatre found it so again last 'night. Indeed, packed houses have been the usual thing at this popular theatre ever since Eric Edgley and Clem Dawe hurst upon Dunedin with their merry little company a week ago. And all these patrons came away with a severe attack of Daweitis, which is not a complaint, but a habit which causes repeated visits to the Princess. There is no doubt that Eric of the sibilant speech is a real comedian of parts, each bone being a crackling funnybone, each limb set in syncopated measure, and each muscle twitching and wriggling in harmony. And the puzzle that even heats the crossword is—How does Clem keep those huge bluchers on his feet? But there are others of the company who have also hit the public taste here: Alec Began, for instance, and Gregory Ivanoff, Phyllis Amery and Dorothy White, Eric Edgley and Oscar Beck, Violet Lester and—well, the whole jolly lot, for they are jolly, all of them. Last night’s programme comprised the usual sparkling mixture, and from the moment the mask-pedlar had pronounced the-“open resume ” right to the burst of maritime merriment that closed the concluding naval frolic everything went crackling along to the accompaniment of laughter or applause or both. One need not have known so much about cricket as about boys to appreciate a sketch in which Eric Dawe brought out his new bat and ball and stumps and allowed certain of his mates to play, on condition that he (Dawe), as owner of the material, should be captain, and bat, bowl, or “stump” as the fancy took him. All boy-like and very funny. ‘ Unnecessary Remarks ’ struck a responsive chord in many a male breast, for who hasn’t gone homo a little nervy and wet through, and been met with such questions as “Is it raining?” “Are you home?” “Did you ring?” and so on? But few are brave enough to voicp their objections as Clem Dawe does to Dorothy White (the wife), Les White (the old asthmatic father), Alec Regan (the inane parson), and Phyllis Amery (the maid). Then Messrs Edgley and Dawe trying to sell to friend Regan a “semi-Rolls-Royce,” with Donealot tyres and collapsible frame, was very comical. “The owner,” rend the advertisement, “ has reasons for selling.” Which was obvious to all beholders. And so the show went on, a fearsome glee party being interrupted by a pseudo chocolate boy in the stalls, who, by invitation, joined the party and incidentally added < remeudously to the fun. A rehearsal of a melodrama which went all wrong; a comedy sailor song and dance by the versatile Clem,, who appeared in hooped trousers and big pearl buttons—a sorb of damo with knobs on, so to speak; a “next door neighbor ” stunt, in which Mr and Mrs Oldwod’s endeavor to break Dir and Mrs Newlywed of their habit of quarrelling ended in chaos, hiccoughs, and general disorder; a bright patter duo, in which Alee Regan lias a difficult task whan he sets out to recruit Les White; a humorous song (‘ Don’t ’) and still more humorous dance by Dorothy White.

Less hilarious, but bright and amusing, were such items as Phyllis Amery * jinky song “ Roll-’em Girls ’ (meaning hose, by tho way), Phyllis and her girl friends, in illustration, appearing in roll-down stockings, a lew leathers, and robust health. Then Alec Regan and his old-man song voicing tho desire to live to ninety-nine; and a musical trio, who pertinently asked how Red Riding Hood could be so very good and still keep the wolf from tho door. In a third category may he mentioned Gregory Ivanhoif’s beautiful playing. He made his violin ‘■peak last ■night, particularly in Schubert’s ‘ Aye Maria’ and ‘ Sally Horner.’ The, audience liked these, also his earlier and more jinky numbers, which were mere fireworks in comparison, but still cleverly done. Oscar Beck sang ‘ Glorious Devon ’ and ‘ Fallon Leaf ’ nicely, and Violet Lester added ‘Let It Rain, Let It Pour,’ an unkind remark, hut nicely put nevertheless. She also sang 'Talking to the Moon,’ which is rather a pretty thing. One of the most delightful things of the evening was Phyllis Avery’s “Drummer” dance. This sprightly, dainty little lady is exceptionally clever in her art. Nell M'Guire’s song, ‘ Coo-coo,’ was very acceptable, and the Frolics Jazz Band made good in tho ‘William Tell’ overture, while a few old-fashioned melodics sung .n harmony by the company met with warm approval. The Dick Dorothy Trio always dance well, and their offering last night was one of their best. Altogether tho show is again tiptop, one of tho best seen at Fullers’ for soma time past, and it can bo heartily recommended.