THE GAIETIES

Grey River Argus, 2 January 1935, Page 6

THE GAIETIES

Stanley McKay’s Company SUCCESSFUL OPENING NIGHT. What promises to be a. very successful season was inaugurated at the Town Hall last evening when Stanley. McKay presented his new revue company, “The Gaieties of 1935.” Mr McKay’s companies had been well and favourably known to Greymouth audiences, and it is no exaggeration fro say that the present company is stronger and more versatile than any he previously brought here. For diversity of talent, the “Gaieties” has not been excelled by any show yet to visit Greymouth. It is not a revue, if is not a vaudeville—it is a satisfying combination of the two, and it is safe to say that anyone who en joys a. “flesh and blood’’ show. enjoyed labt -yvefning’s performance, and everyone must be included in that category, for the reception that each and every number was given ’was sufficient proof of excellence. All tastes were catered for in the show. which went with a swing from start to finish, numbers of artistic merit alternating with good, clean humour.

A highlight in the production was the aerobat'es of ‘‘The Three Alecs’’ who. despite the limitations of the stage, gave a wonderful exhibition of tumbling, balancing and juggling, tin equal of which has not been seen in Greymonth for ninny years. The yod oiling of the Newtons. dressed as two Swiss mountaineers, made an instantaneous appeal, and although no

encore numbers were given. they were not. allowed to leave until they had repeated their number. Miss Ivy I vol is perhaps the cleverest contortionist to appear in Groymotuh. Thef* was no bluster in her act. she calmly going through the most evn lution s as easily as the baTel unneed around her. A novelty was the act of I ramp<; (the hobo on the clothes line). The old tight-rope wa l J.p •as

definitely gone •mt with Trampo. foi ho performs e<iua!lv as clever fonts ns the old light-rope walkers on ar ordinary piece of c’othes wire, hung loosely across the stage.

The vocalists are all nf a h : gh standard. Victor Burke, in old Irish songs, ami tuneful modern melodies was equally appealing. Bae Foster possesses a pleasing soprano voice, and she was heard to advantage in solo numbers and duets with Victor Burke. Head of a capable band of comedians is Frank Perrin, a gone ine humorist. His jokes were'~hcw and he kept, the audience 'n continuous merriment. Nell Fleming dainty comedienne. ha,s a (‘harming slag

manner, and a happy tuneful voice, her “ How I I,ike Thorn” being one of the most popular items. Ted Stanley and Fred Argvle assisted in n'O small way in the humorous inter hides and sketches, and the latter turned to the artistic in two imper sTmat’ons of Dickens’ characters “ Uriah Heep” and “Fagn ih - Jew,” both of which evoked well merited applause. Lee and Parr’rspeciality dancers, made several ap pearancos in song scenas and indi V’dual numbers, their dancing— Spanish. Gypsy, waltzing and tap—being executed with a grace which the audiolnce genuinely appreciated The sketches were all novel, a prom inenf part i n these briny taken bv Cecil Perry, who has a pleasing personality, which assisted him t;> “pul over” the numbers in which he ap peared. A change of scenery and costume for every n ew number was the rule and added to the attractiveness of the show. “B v a Waterfall.” featuring h’ae Foster. Victor Burke Ksnia"' 1 Roach, ano the ballet, and “The Blue Danube” ‘were beautifu 1 numbers, in which the pretty Sunkissed Ballet danced to these two haunting tunes, under appropriate lighting effects. The Gaieties’ Or rhestra. under Mav Brooke, kept th< show going merrily, and there was not a moment of waiting fhropghou'l the two and three-quarter hours pro gramme.

Mr McKay is proud of the show that he lias brought to the Wes' Goasf on this occasion, and is the greatest change in entertainmerP here for some time Although organised in Sydney, the company is a cosmopolitan one, some of the artist® being English, some Continental, and others Americans and Australians but they are all masters of their particular arts, and work togeiher L*

make an exce'lent show. This evening last night’s production will ho rop°ntod. and to-morrow evening there will be a totally different programme. On Saturday afternoon, the company is presenting the children’s matinee, “Little Bo Peep.”