RAILWAYS REVUE

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 December 1940, Page 8

RAILWAYS REVUE

A POPULAR SHOW The reputation gained by the Greyl- - Railways Swingtime Revue Company at their initial appearance some months ago, was sufficient to assure a full house for their second presentation, “Half Shot at Sunrise,” in the Greymouth Town Hall, last evening, and once again their efforts were warmly received. Two and a-half hours of bright entertainment were provided, the programme being well varied with musical, dancing, and comedy numbers. It was the vocal section that held the widest appeal, the Company being fortunate in the standard of its singers and in their choice of popular numbers. The outstanding song scena was probably the “Out West” number, which featured ’many of the well-known cowboy songs, including a fine rendition of “South of the Border” by Messrs S. Ellis, and A. Campbell. Both of these singers were also heard in solo numbers during the evening, and at each appearance, were enthusiastically applauded. The other soloists, Mesdames Patti Mclntosh, Jean Campbell and C. Woollet and Messrs H. Ferguson and J. Russell were similarly effective. The Waltz Ballet, with Mrs. Mclntosh as soloist, was one of the best presented items of the evening, being up to professional standard. “Honolulu Cocktail,” a vocal and instrumental number with Messrs C. Mosley, S. Ellis, S. Marley and Mr. and Mrs. Campbell was also outstanding. Further popular songs were introduced in the “Battlefront Melodies” scena. Variety was added to the programme with piano solos by Mr. R. Buchanan and duets by Messrs R. Buchanan and Ellis.

A high standard was also attained in the dancing section, by Miss Monica Sinnott and her pupils, Misses I. ' Griffiths, E. Gurden and S. Hibbs. The timing and costuming of the ballets were excellent and added materially to the success of the show, the members of the ballet including also Mesdames Ellis. and Campbell and Misses M. McAnulty, P. McAnulty, B. Campbell and P. Mack. In her solo numbers, Miss Sinnott was deservedly popular. Most of the comedy of the revue was in the hands of “Shorty.” Sorenson, assisted by Messrs Ellis, Russell, Campbell and T. Cheetham, and he gained many laughs with stories, comic songs and sketches. Some of the humour however, was decidedly on the “broad” side, not in kegping with the general standard of the show. Otherwise, the sketches were capably handled' and well put over and Mr. Sorenson got through a difficult night’s work with credit, the laughs at times being continuous. A novelty, “The Seven Wails,” a burlesque -on the dance of the seven veils, performed by male members of the company was a parallel to the humorous male ballet in the first revue. The orchestra, comprising Misses R. Peillon, R. McNeish and Messrs E. Davis, A. Wilson, J. Guy and F. Nott, added materially to the success of the show which opened with the bright “Beer Barrel Polka,” and concluded with the same happy note. The producer, Mr. T. Caldwell again' proved his organising ability and he was capably assisted by the following:— Ballet Mistress: Miss M. Sinnott; Stage Manager: Mr. M. Hanrahan; Assistant Stage Manager: Mr. C. Garner; Scenery: Mr. J. Rhodes; Costumes: Mrs. Musson; Lighting Effects: Mr. R. Henry; Musical Director: Mr. T. Brown.

The revue will be repeated this evening and it is to be expected that there will be another crowded house, resulting in a considerable sum being available for the Patriotic FUnd, to which the net proceeds are being given. Prior to the concluding item last evening, Captain A. R. Curtis, M.C., on behalf of the Greymouth Patriotic Committee, thanked the audience for their attendance and expressed the hope that there would be another full house this evening. He also thanked the artists who had provided such fine entertainment.