"WAIT FOR IT"

Evening Star, Issue 25471, 30 April 1945, Page 7

"WAIT FOR IT"

A STAN LAWSON SHOW Stan Lawson's musical show ' Wait for It,' which has been touring the Dominion, began a Dunedin season in His Majesty's Theatre ou Saturday night. The house wafc a good one, and the reception given to the little band of players was flattering. Undoubtedly, the chief feature of the show was its excellent ballet. This consisted of only seven or eight girls, but its work throughout gave a great deal of pleasure. Two novelty ballets in which each girl was double-costumed *to represent two different characters—in one case a sailor and a maid, and in the other a maid and a " mammy " and another in which each d anoe r appeared to be carrying her own head in a basket, were cleverly, and artistically executed. As principal soloist, charming little Itowena Jackson was outstanding. The company's ballet mistress. Miss Rosetta Powell, and her delightful troupe of dancers are certainly entitled to the honours of the evening. The " straight " singing was also particularly good, and in this department Colin Campbell, Maurice Tansley, and Lsme Pedder are well above the average standard of vocalists ■usually to be heard in shows of this nature. Joyce Chambers, too, sang very sweetly. Lily Robertson, violinist, displayed conspicuous ability, and her two solos were very pleasing items. The comedy section was, strangely enough, the least satisfying, though it was the quality of the matter rather than the quality of the artists that,disappointed. Hurry Howlett, Slim Somervii'.e, and Stan Lawson himself are skilled and resourceful comedians, and it was a pity that .the stuff thev had to handle was not of a higher standard. Certainly, the audience on Saturday night appeared to be enjoy ing the fun. but there were, no doubt, many among them who would havo appreciated some little respite from tho constant flow of what was mostlv vulgar jest and innuendo crudely expressed. It may be suggested in all kindness to our old friend Stan Lawson that this change might be brought about without prejudicing the success of a bright, entertaining show. Assisting the comedians mentioned in tho numerous sketches and other items wer<« Lola Bosher, Reta Cook, Laurie Jones, Peggy Wilson, and, when occasion demanded, the other members of the company. A competent orchestra was led by Doris Osborne. ' Wait For It ' will be staged nightly for the rest of the week.