HAPPY AND SNAPPY

Grey River Argus, 28 November 1927, Page 3

HAPPY AND SNAPPY

ARE THE FUTURISTS, 1928

Saturday’s Performance Pleases Public.

“Laugh and grow fat” is a maxim that has come to be accepted as true, and if such is the case, then the large audience which greeted the English Futurists on Saturday night at the Opera House must have, on an average, come out fully half a stone heavier than when they, entered the theatre. From the opening chorus to the finale, the audience were swept with gusts of laughter as turn by turn the company lived up to its name of the All-Laugh-ter Show.

It is nearly two years since the Futurists paid their first visit to Greymouth, and the reputation made by them on that occasion was, if anything, enhanced by Saturday night’s performance. The show has been strengthened by the inclusion of Joe Brennan, the wellknown impersonator and humorist. He has the quality so lacking in most humorists of being able to keep his audience in good humour with themselves, his appearance alone causing them to seriously strain some of their blood-vessels. One point of his humour that was noticeable also, was that he did not have to resort to any of that vulgarity that many other comedians have to resort to to get away their audience. His sketch of the fireman was really clever, and his introduction of local celebrities as members of his “brigade” literally brought the house down, as in turn he mentioned some prominent characteristics of the said celebrities. His impersonation of a “dame’’ who was just “out” but unhappily for her was put “in’’ with the assistance of a policeman, and his comedy episode, “The Police Station,” with he as the hero. P.C. 13, also went well, and his next appearance will be eagerly awaited. Cyril Northcote, Gus Dawson and ' W. Desmond remain as popular as ever I with the Greymouth public. The only fault to be found with Mr Northcote ’ is that not enough was seen of him. By I I his, we mean that he did not give enough turns, for otherwise he looms large in the eye. Messrs Dawson and Desmond still retain that ability to “do a few steps” which makes one wonder whether by some strange chance it was seen fit to equip them with in-dia-rubber instead of the usual bone. They certainly appear clastic. The former’s pleasing appearance and voice, combined with his dancing, make him a favourite wherever he appears. Mr Desmond’s woebegone features would make a professional mourner envious, and his cheery way of speaking about death, disease and other trifles, endcars him to his listeners, lie is the goods. Air George Corelli, who made a lasting impression on his last visit here, was rapturously welcomed back, as he made his bow again. His numbers, which included the evergreen, “Funiculi, Funicula” and “La Donna E Mobile” and “When Autumn Leaves Arc Falling” (the last-named especially pleasing), were met with insistent demands for encores, and West I Coast audiences are fortunate in having this golden-voiced tenor numbered amongst their entertainers. His presence alone ensures the success of the show.

The feminine portion of the Futurists were responsible for a large share in the success with which the company was received. Miss Ida Newton has the happy knack of being able to take her listeners into her confidence, and hold them there. She will be appreciated by local theatre-goers. Miss Ira Vanda, with, her saxaphonc and soprano voice, made things merry, while her impersonation of a child in one of the sketches provoked some hearty laughter. Her singing of “In a Little Spanish Town,” in conjunction with Mr Corelli and the chorus, was one of the gems of the evening. Miss Dell Barnes is a young performer whos< dancing and singing were of a high order. The Cabaret Kittens, who com prise th? chorus, put added “pep” into the show. The frockings and settings of the Futurists are in a class of their own in comparison to other companies that have visited Greymouth. The setting f the number “In a Little Spanish / awn ” was especially good, and evoked many murmurs of admiration from the females in the audience, while another scene unfamiliar locally was that of the Oriental revuette “The Shriek of Araby. ” The whole performance with a swing, there being no delay between each item, a factor that was well appreciated among the audience.

The performance opened with a lively overture, with Miss Myrtle Skewcs at the piano, and then the combined company sang the opening chorus with considerable vim. , Miss Ira Vanda, with saxaphone and song, assisted by the Kittens Cabaret Ballet, earned the applause with which her turn was greeted. The audience were then introduced to Mr Joe Brennan, who with the assistance, of Miss Ida Newton tried to ‘‘put one across” his little boy friend, Dessy, in other words, W. Desmond, who, on appearance, might have been a full brother to Methusaleh. At the conclusion of the turn the audience seemed to be in doubt as to whether the dismal one had not come out best. George Corelli’s singing created a great impression on his audience, and he had to make his appearance several times before he was allowed to depart. Some “Impossible Happenings” were cleverly carried out, as was also the sketchctte “The Huggins Give an Evening,” Mr Brennan’s attempted rendering of “The/Village Blacksmith,” in the face of much disorder among the other guests of the evening, and questioning by the precocious child of the house, caused hearty laughter. Gus Dawson, with song and dance, provided a pleasing interlude, as also did W. Desmond (Dismal Desmond) with a few miserable experiences, combined with an eccentric dance, which had io be repeated. The first half of the entertainment closed with the Oriental Rcvuette “The Shriek of Araby,” the cast consisting

of The Shriek (Joe Brennan), Abdul (Gus Dawson), Hassan (George Corelli), Lotus (Ida Newton), The ThoughtReader (Cyril Northcote), Ignatz (G. W. Desmond), Wives of the Shriek (Dell Barnes, Peggy Sharpe, Betty Lee and Reitha Somerville). The scene was opened by Miss Ira Vanda, with the assistance of George Corelli, singing “That Night in Araby.” followed by the entrance of the Shriek and the holding of his Court, in which some weird and wonderful punishments were meted out. The second part of’ the programme was well sustained, and further heightened the good humour of the audience. A short sketch. “The Elopement,” with an unusual ending, and a comedy episode, “The Policeman,” with Joe Brennan as an unwilling and unready John Hop, ea rned big hands. George Corelli’s further appearance in the songs “La Donna E Mobile” and “When Autumn Leaves Are Falling” as an encore, was greeted so enthusiastically that he had to repeat the latter song. Miss Newton gave a clever rendering of the ways in which that old favourite “Ma Cherie” could be sung by the everyday person, the coster, and a Frenchman. “In a Little Spanish Town,” with Ira Vanda as soloist, in company with th eValencia Girls, was one of THE items of the evening, the scenery and costumes surpassing anything seeen on a Greymouth stage. “Dinner for Three,” with Joe Brennan ami W. Desmond as a hardup pair who evolved a brilliant scheme for obtaining a free dinner, which did not work out according to plan, were ably assisted by Ida Newton, Gus Dawson and Cyril Northcote. Dell Bar nes and Gus Dawson, in a singing and dancing number, “Lena Schmidt,” gained many plaudits, Miss Barnes being a performer who should soon reach the top flight. ' More fun from Cyril Northcote, W. Desmond and Joe Brennan, and a dainty finale, “Balloon Land,” by the company, completed a programme unique in Greymouth stage history.

During the evening Mr Northcote thanked the audience for their patronage, and expressed his pleasure at being once more back amongst his Coast friends.

The company will return to Grey mouth on Monday and Tuesday next when lovers of a good night’s entertainment are advised to be among those present.