FIRM FAVOURITES

Evening Star, Issue 22350, 28 May 1936, Page 1

FIRM FAVOURITES

HIGH-CLASS VAUDEVILLE AT HIS MAJESTY’S Now well established as firm favourites with Dunedin theatregoers, the Hart-o’Brian Celebrity Vaudeville Company played its second production, ‘ Beauty on Parade,’ to a capacity audience at His Majesty’s Theatre last night. The show generally is quite the best of its kind seen in Dunedin in recent years, for besides being able to call upon so many talented, ■ versatile performers, it is produced on the most up-to-date lines, and the staging is on a lavish scale, while the costuming is pretty and original in design. Outstanding,- of course, in the revue features is Mr Frank O’Brian, one of the most refreshing comedians to appear here for a long time. Mr O’Brian appeared in a number of clever and very funny sketches, in one of the best of which he was associated with Miss Janice Hart, whoso singing and dancing were highlights of the performance. Others who took prominent parts in the sketches were Alec. Kellaway, who is a vocalist of high order, Cecil Scott, Max lleddv. Marie Doran, and Alma Aldous. Miss Doran is a charming soprano, and her tuneful numbers were appreciated greatly by the audience. Mias Doran’s most effective number, of course, was in the novel and beautiful scena, ‘ The Beautiful Blue Danube,’ in which the dance superb was performed by the Orlandos, artistes of high quality indeed. The variety acts in this show are uniformly excellent, and it would be impossible to fault one feature of the performance. Dave James, who so badly baffled everyone last week with his dexterity in producing cigarettes, apparently from space, showed his amazing versatility this webk by performing tricks in just as polished a manner with a pack of cards. Mr James is a polished performer witha fine stage personality, and his nonchalant attitude could not hide the extreme cleverness of his performance. On the same high plane was Mr Vic. Sanderson’s shadowgraphing, whose animated fingers presented all manner of delightful sketches. The Rumanian Risley artistes, the Velescos, presented another excellent display of acrobatics, their performance being a masterly exhibition of balancing, tumbling, and the like. Master Raul, the youngest member of the trio, also rendered pleasing selections on the violin. The interpretative dancing of Desiree and Montigue was, as was the ease last week, one of the artistic delights of the evening, for both are performers of high quality. # . The company is fortunate indeed ui being able to call upon so much dancing talent, and though it camo near the end of the programme the number entitled 1 Twists and Turns,’ presented by Miss Phyl. Jamieson, was one of the best of the evening. A very dainty dancer indeed, this little lady showed considerable talent and originality in her number. The ballet in this show is easily one of the best seen in Dunedin in recent years, and its splendid work is enhanced by the very effective backgrounds. Red Beacham and his orchestra supplied the incidental music which contributed to the enjoyment of the entertainment. ‘ Beauty on Parade ’ will he presented each evening during the week, and there will be a matinee on Saturday afternoon, at which children’s trials will he held. The winner of this competition will ho given a week’s engagement with the company during its Dunedin season.