CLEM DAWE REVUES

Evening Star, Issue 21905, 17 December 1934, Page 9

CLEM DAWE REVUES

SEASON OPENS SATURDAY Mr Clem Dane and his new revue company will ■ appear here in His Majesty’s Theatre, commencing on Saturday next, with a Christmas gift matinee for children. Said a recent Auckland critique of the premiere there:—“Mr Clem Dawe holds an undisputed place in the -regard of Auckland audiences. He always has something new to offer, and behind all his work there is personality which can lift clowning to a high aft. He had only to come on the stage for the first time to have the audience convulsed with laughter,'and the pace was set for the evening. Mr Dawe retains his wellworn boots, but has added a winter suiting in checks,, which has to be seen to be appreciated. Comedy, naturally, is the essence of revue entertainment, and with Mr Dawo at the head of affairs fun never flags. He shuffles on and off the stage a score of times, confounding fortune tellers, experimenting with the telephone, suffering on a bod of pain under the ministrations of a voluble nurse, showing off the paces of a new car, and giving astounding sidelights on modern education for girls. There is never a dull moment, but his ‘ Telephone Tangle ’ is one of the finest things in revue ever presented to an Auckland audience. His ‘ trial turn ’ as a combination of comic fireman and coon singer is a gem of burlesque, and in another category, his comedy-drama-tic sketch of an old newsvendor allies genuine acting power to comedy. Mr Dawe is aided by perhaps the strongest company that has ever been associated with him in New Zealand. There is real musical strength, and the singing of Miss Muriel O’Malley and Miss Ann Luciano is a sheer delight. Their group of songs at the piano establishes them as immediate favourites. In addition there is Mr Ralph Daly, the possessor of a pleasing tenor voice, while Mr Cliff O’Keefe’s robust baritone was heard to outstanding advantage in ‘ Cellarer ’ and ‘ Drinking.’ Miss Dorothy White, in her inimitable style, presented one of her best song creations, and with Mr Les. White, Eric Edgly, and Mr Joe Shriner greatly assisted Clem Dawe in his sketches and humorous scenes. Among the artists whose admirers in New Zealand are legion is Gregory Ivanoff, the violinjst. His artistry is undimmed, and his playing of Sarasate’s ‘ Carmen,’ his own arrangement of ‘ The Rose of Summer,’ and a musical melange was warmly received. Nor does the dancing suffer in comparison. The ballet flit on and off the stage in brilliant frocks and an equally brilliant array of intricate steps. Their ‘ Train ’ ballot and ‘ Toymakor’s Dream/ arc cleverly conceived and magnificently executed. Miss Edna Monericff and Miss Edna Luscomho blend vocal and personal charm with the ballet in several effective, scenes, and two remarkably fine adagio dancers and acrobatic dancers are Halliday and Watson, who display perfect sense of poise and rhythin in all their work.” The box plan will be opened to-morrow at the D.I.Ct