THE MONTAGUE SHOW

Grey River Argus, 30 November 1937, Page 6

THE MONTAGUE SHOW

Gala Opening

DELIGHTED GREYMOUTH AUDIENCE. That the cities have nothing on the discrimination of Greymouth audiences was clearly shown last evening when the Montague Show opened its Greymouth season at the Regent Theatre to an enthusiastic house. Rarely are local opportunities given of seeing such a fine English company as that which presented “This rear of Carnival,” a glittering, breezy and spectacular production, and the applause which greeted the performance was unmistakeable proof of the delight of the audience. Gaiety, subtlety, and wit abounded in the sketches, dances, and individual acts of the high class comedians in the company. The ensembles, frocking, and scenery of the show were brilliant 1 and beautiful, as well as being in' themselves a novelty to Greymouth audiences. Mr George Doonan, the principal comedian, proved to be a humorist of a high order with his attractively breezy style and keen sense of comedy, and it was quite apparent that he made light of his fun-making and topical hits. He appeared com-

pletely at ease, whether starred in an individual act on the stage, or cavorting happily with others, and his quips and sallies bubbled forth with an irrepressible spontaneity which was at times bewildering even to other members of the company.

But “This Year of Carnival’’ does not have to rely on Mr Doonan, outstanding though he is. He nas two admirable foils in Mr Jimmy Jewell ana Mr Ben Warriss, both of whom characterised their performances by solid work. The three together handled the comedy side of the production in a highly satisfactory manner. Their ottering of "The Bare Idea,” a clever skit on nudism, with the assistance of Miss Barbara Vernon, struck a responsive note with the audience, while their number “A Few Quickies” had some local appeal in its scintillating and subtle wit, and delightful fooling. The appearance of Messrs Jewell and Warriss in ten minutes of sheer nonsense fully merited the applause it received, but Mr Doonan’s skit “The Life and Soul of the Party” capped everything. His amusing efforts were not lost on the audience, and his clever impersonation of a Bowery "yegg” rounded off a delightful performance. In the last sketch, he had the assistance of Miss Catherine Stewart, a thoroughly competent comedienne, who performed her many parts with distinction.

The production is given a aelightful international flavour with the

work of the famous Darmora Troupe of Hungarian dancers, led by Madame Darmora herself, an actress as well as a dancer. For sheer energy, grace, and precision, they outshone anything seen on the West Coast before, and their two specialties, “Quadrille, 1900'’ and the “Hungarian Dance” were the outstanding features of the whole production. The highspeed artistry of the former number, and the graceful execution of the latter, a whirlwind number, placed their efforts among the most popular items of the night. West Coasters’ love of dancing, especially of numbers with the brilliant settings of the Montague Show, was responsible for the enthusiastic manner in which the troupe was received, and the work of the members showed them to be artists of an unusually high order. Franz and Bea Darmora scored a success with their

difficult rag doll dance, and Madame Darmora’s contortions in a brief number “Shadowmania” were truly amazing. The dance ensembles and spectacles were notable for their glamour and for the colour and richness of the frocking and draping, easily the most effective being “The Carnival of Chess.” In this brilliantly staged scene, gold and silver pawns, knights and bishops, regally plumed and arrayed, did battle for their king in a brilliant kaleidoscope of colour before they joined forces with the other pieces to witness the crowning of the two monarchs and their queens. The opening scene, “Carnival,” provided another riot of changing colour and glittering dresses, whilst the Spanish number which opened the second part of a memorable programme was . brilliant in effect and conception, gold and silver lace and gorgeous man til- j las combining with fee plainer but picturesque frocks of the peasantry ( to create’ a dazzling ensemble, set against the background of a sombre < cathedral. ]

Graceful and charming was the ballet “Southern Roses,” in which the performers, assisted by Miss Kelly, a fine soprano, and Miss Mackie, whose unusual dancing greatly pleased, drifted through a concerted number dressed in soft pastel shades. Another pleasing effect was obtained in "Midnight Blue,”, which featured'the Darmora Ballet.

The beautiful harmony of Western songs was revealed in a remarkable manner by The Four Blenders,, a quartet of male voices, whilst Misses Catherine Stewart, Margaret Kelly, and Barbara Vernon gave capable

vocal assistance to the principals. Aided by loud speakers which carried their solo numbers to the last row of the audience with admirable clearness, The Four Blenders proved to be the outstanding artists of the evening, and the enthusiastic manner in which they were received by the audience left no doubt as to their popularity. Jack Fitzsimmons, the tenor with the Blenders, scored his great success with the crowd in his number, “Little Town in Ould County Down.” He has a voice of rare quality, and unsurpassed richness, and the 'pity was that the public were not treated to more numbers by him'and by the Blenders. The whole performance was completed right on time, and the inclusion of more numbers by these outstanding vocalists would have been welcomed. Apart from their numbers and those of Miss

Kelly, the company has no really outstanding vocalists, and there can be little doubt that West Coast audiences enjoy good songs with the best. t

The “crowning glory” of the show was the finale, a gleam of gold and silver making a never-to-be-forgotten spectacle. The closing scene was fittingly merged into the National Anthem, and the audience was left with fragrant memories of a fine spectacular performance by outstanding overseas artists.

The genius of Mr Lewis Marks was revealed in the staging and production of the whole show, in which the heavy musical side was ably directed by Mr Cyril Connolly with the aid of a first rate orchestra.

“This Year of Carnival” will be repeated to-night at the Regent, and Hokitika theatregoers will have the opportunity of witnessing the production, a special train having been arranged. To-morrow (Wednesday) at the matinee “Let’s Go Places," a nautically-flavoured offering, will be presented, and the Greymouth season will be concluded with the same show in the evening.