THE MARCUS SHOW

Evening Star, Issue 22687, 29 June 1937, Page 13

THE MARCUS SHOW

ANOTHER OUTSTANDING HIT BRILLIAfiT VARIETY ENTERTAINMENT Tho second string of tho Marcus how —‘ Broadway Vanities ’ —brought .o His Majesty’s last night another iml equally successful edition of a variety entertainment that is making theatrical history for Dunedin. _lt ■vas every bit as lively and diverting is its predecessor, and had additional interest and value in that it accentuated tho remarkable versatility of the company. Tho best proof of the success of these performances is that ouo realises, with a start, that the show' is over. The audience is simply not allowed to, take stock of time. The extremely "able producers of tho Marcus Show, whoso whole presentation is nothing less than a masterpiece of stage organisation, see to that. Actually there was a break of about live seconds between two acts last night, and after what one has become accustomed to, it seemed interminable. There was another long sequence of dazzling scenes alternately entrancing and bewildering in their colour and life, with gorgeously-costumed (and very attractive) girls to give them more vital appeal again, and in the foreground fast comedy, infectious music and dancing, and lively diversions from an assortment of artists, any one of whom could top a groat variety bill.

It is quite impossible to sort out any performer last evening for .special honours in that brilliantly ordered conglomeration that comprised the new show. Tho engaging Mr M'Atce was at tho top of form, and amused everyone immensely. Dottio Coudy, that very determined young lady, Was his partner in most of tho fun. She certainly earns her salary. Fid Gordon, most eccentric of violinists, had as an associate last night the lugubrious George Schreck. No man has ever produced such weird and startling noises from a clarinet as Mr Schreck did. As he relieved the instrument of several punts of water during the process this was scarcely surprising. Leon Miller, brilliant dancer and comedian, provided some of the highlights of the night with his original steps and humour. Harold Boyd and his irrepressible Jigsaws were at their impossible best,_ and had everyone roaring. The surprise of tho programme was Sharon do Vries, who revealed herself as a dancer of singular grace and charm in an exotic Eastern scena. Miss Do Vries can perform some extraordinary feats with, her supple arms. Ben M‘Atee decided to join in the startling acrobatics of tho Six Tossing Belfords, but was not quite as tough as those alert and brawny individuals, 'who take such frightening risks. Tho dancing of the Clymas, the Bex-nays, tho Shannon Trio and Masson, and tho Hinton Sisters was again a sheer delight. Tho Hinton Sisters have shown an equal facility in the semi-classical and the warmest syncopated stylos. Sparkey Kaye and Roland Romas, two very lively spirits, gambolled delightfully through several sketches. They have a quaint humour, American,, hut nevertheless immediate, jn .its. appeal .By thp same token, anything in the show that had a purely American appeal was negligible. Mr Schreck’s lightning impersonation of Ted Lewis, for instance, was probably wasted, and the hilarious fan dance by Harold Boyd, George Charland, and Roland Romas lost some of its significance by reason of the fact that New Zealand audiences have had no experience of the dance which Sally Rand created (and it is to be hoped that they never will). Bobby Dyer’s “hillbilly ” representation was an immensely amusing affair. Mr Dyer is giving strength to all these performances with his excellent comedy. Les Sechrist, that remarkable exponent of the music of tho piano-accordeon, has some now numbers this week, and Lee Mason and Bob. White, both of whom sing most agreeably, also appear in several breezy sketches. Tho Silver Goddess of the earlier programme was last night a Bronze Goddess. This much-discussed young lady has a stylo of surpassing beauty. Her sense of pose is magnificent. A 1 Ricker is on deck again with another most eccentric dance, and Sofia Alvarez, a dashing singer of dashing songs, gives her Spanish ballads an irresistible spirit. The big scenas in this programme are very skilfully designed and are brilliantly effective. They have’ completely revolutionised stage production for Dunedin. The orchestra was without Mr Coleman last night, but was efficiently handled by a deputy. The arrangement of SaintSaens’s ‘ Danse Macabre ’ in the few more sombre scenes was extremely effective. There will he a matinee to-morrow, .and a complete change of bill on Thursday evening, with a special farewell performance on Saturday night.