“BRIGHT SIDE UP” AT HAWERA

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 27 September 1933, Page 2

“BRIGHT SIDE UP” AT HAWERA

COLOUR, MIRTH AND MELODY. SPECTACULAR MUSICAL COMEDY Aptly named ‘‘Bright Side Up,” Air Ernest C. Roils’ musical comedy revue company, under the banner ol ■). C. Williamson Ltd., provided three hours ol delightful entertainment for an overflow audience at the Hawera Opera House lust evening. Constant ripples of merriment, rising repeatedly to gales of uncontrollable laughter, gave unmistakable evidence of tno appeal of the humorous element in the production, while prolonged applause provided tribute to the success ol the talented band in a rapid succession or captivating musical numbers, artistic solo, dual and ballet dances and dazzling transformation scenes. The many features followed in almost bewildering array, each registering instant appeal. Erom the rtse of the curtain to the final ensemble astounding speed of action was maintained and not a dull moment was allowed to check the enjoyment of a programme replete with attraction. Accomplished characterisations of the brilliant comedienne, • Miss Jennie Benson, the irresistible drillery of Air Charles Nonnan and the impudent salties of Aiiss Rene Riano were the principal factors in the rich vein of comedy providing the key note of the company’s success. With their clever supports, the trio proved a winning coinOi u at ion. Miss Benson, who was a favourite throughout-, proved particularly suceesstui in her serio-comic interpretation of “Slices of Life” and her characteristics oi a Lancashire lass, a colleen and a coster girl, while a- high light among her many other mirthprovokmg efforts was her partnership with Mr Nonnan in a burlesque medley of opera and. less dignified song numbers. Mr Norman was seldom out ol the spotlight. Commencing as the bright young manager of a lingerie establishment, he threaded a gay passage through a. variety of sketches including the role of an embarrassing property man with a penchant for turning tense moments into ridicule during a broadcast drama and impersonations of a Scotsman, a- Welsh pastor and a frenchman,- but in these and other scenes he maintained a rollicking flow of humour which never flagged and which stamped him as a comedian of the first order. Aiiss iUaiio, an eccentric comedienne and dancer, never failed in her seventl appearances to arouse the audience to enthusiasm. She exploited, with ' marked effect, a. grotesquely humorous make-up and achieved, with accomplished ease, the exacting movements of her unusual dance features. Her screaniingly-funny performance in “Bluebeard’s Eighth Wife’’ was one of the best received numbers of the generous programme. Acrobatic tumbling! demanding a high degree of skill, marked a burlesque triple waltz presented by Miss Mae Baird and Messrs Archie Thompson and Harry Simmons, while furthei artistry in strength, poise and grace was exhibited in a thrilling adagio speciality by Mdlle L’Etoile and Laurence. Two other brilliant solo dancers wero Aiiss Audrey Lewis and Air Billy Kershaw, both of whom combined amazing- pace with perfect grace and rhythm. ' Enchanting scenic, effects m a riot of harmonising tints furnished dazzling settings for charming song numbers including “Pearl of the Pacific,” rendered by Air Colin Crane, “Russian Alooii,” bv' Afiss Ala tie Doran arid Mr Crane and “Fleur JP Armour,” by Miss Thelma Trott and Air Cecil Scott. In the whirl of colour, mirth and melody other striking- features of “Bright Side Up” were the excellent orchestral work under the baton of Air Erie Alareno and the gorgeous dresses, arresting beauty and trained efficiency of a galaxy of ballet and chorus girls who provided the background for the soloists. For sheer loveliness- two of the ballet numbers were outstanding; in the floral scene the graceful members of the troupe appeared like a host of exotic blooms from a Sultan’s garden; supporting the pearl song they emerged from enormous shells as gleaming gems of purest ray, while their verve and compelling attraction in the spirited Russian ballet might be expected to imbue even the most staunch Conservative with the desire to risk firsthand inspection of the second five-year plan. At the conclusion of the performance Mr Norman expressed grateful appreciation of the enthusiastic public, reception accorded the production and said it was hoped the company would lie returning in the near future to present a further programme.