AMATEUR VAUDEVILLE

Evening Star, Issue 22353, 1 June 1936, Page 2

AMATEUR VAUDEVILLE

* FOLLIES OF 1936’ WOOLWORTH'S SOCIAL CLUB’S SUCCESS Providing entertainment of a very congenial nature, Woolworth’s Social Club met with an enthusiastic reception at its public debut in the Little Theatre on. Saturday evening. Breezy and bright humour, good dancing, an excellent orchestra, and catchy tuneswere features of ‘ The Follies of 1936,’ and there was no doubting that the efforts of these amateurs reached a very creditable level. The theatre, which was completely filled, had musical comedy produced within its walls for the first time, and it was amply demonstrated that- this type of entertainment could bo produced in the Little Theatre just as well as true drama. Admitted that the producers had a large field from which to select the performers, tho general ability of the entertainers was very high, and appreciation of their worn was freely expressed by the audience. The curtain went up on a mixed ballet of some 30 members, with Miss G. Whittaker leading tho company in a welcoming chorus. The brunt of the comedy work fell on the shoulders of Mr R. Childs, who made his first appearance with the song ‘ You Can’t Do That There Here,’ In response to a call for ‘ Nightfall at Sea ’ Miss I. Michie sang ‘ March of the Grenadiers.’ Thfe humorous piece concerning ‘ Yon Lion That Eat Our Albert,’ made famous by Stanley Holloway, received excellent treatment at the hands of Miss J. Liddicoat, who very successfully managed to infuse the piece with the broad Midland accent. An amusing sketch dealing with the doings of a village choir, and a choirmaster who had his own way of dealing with voices that would break, was succeeded bv a toe dance, charmingly presented by Miss M. Webster. A” burlesque dance by Misses G. Webster and M. Means was succeeded by the sketch ‘Telegram,’ which raised loud applause.' What was one of the features of tho evening was an item presented by an 11-year-old performer, Miss Jean Delaney, one of the few outside entertainers who assisted during the evening. She presented two songs, ‘Be Good, Sweet Child ’ and ‘ When I Grow Too Old To Dream.’ The hitter number was presented in combination with Miss R. Cunliffe, and it said a lot for the number that after 12 minutes of the item the audience applauded loud and long. Under the heading of ‘ Cabaret Nights ’ an excellent pot-pourri of entertainment was presented. Made famous by Grace Moore, ‘ Chere Bore Bin ’ received good treatment at the hands of the whole company, the orchestra contributing in no small measure to the success of the item. A pleasing duet by Miss G, Whittaker and Mr Childs was followed by Mr K. Wilson, whose work as a female impersonator deceived the major portion of the audience, while in the presentation of a popular song Mr G. Donnelly revealed an accomplished stage manner. A spectacular conclusion to the first half was provided in a musical number, with Miss R. Cunliffe leading the company. A one-act farce, ‘ Russian Salad,’ told how a man fell asleep and met with some exciting adventures with anarchists in dreamland, while his wife was deploring the slowness of everyday life. Miss F. Patton as Jane, and Mr L. Lake as Snitz, both provided excellent performances, while other members of the cast were Misses E. M‘Leod and I. Michie and Messrs M. Beasley and G. Donnelly. As an encore to ‘ When You Come Home ’ Miss H. Denne presented ‘ Sing, Joyous Bird,’ both of which items' were warmly applauded. A number of popular song bits presou-

ted by members of the Continental Banco" Baud found instant favour, as did the violin solos of Mr R. Arnold, Tosselli’a ‘ Scrcnata ’ and the popular ‘La Golandrina.’ The sketch ‘ Lord Above ’ mas succeeded by some bright tap dancing by Miss 0. Johnston, while the sketch’* Park Bench ’ earned loud aplpause, and the evening came to a conclusion with a grand finale by the company. The excellent orchestra, the Continental Banco Band, under the direction of Mr S, Andrews, contributed much to the success of the programme, which mill be repeated on Wednesday evening, when tbo proceeds mill be devoted to the Otago fund for crippled children.