THE OPTIMISTS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4991, 23 June 1926, Page 2

THE OPTIMISTS.

DISAPPOINTING ENTERTAINMENT.

STERN’S COMPANY AT PAEROA.

Considerable disappointment w'as expressed by the majority of people who attended the entertainment presented by Basil Burnley’s Optimists at the. Gaiety Theatre, Paeroa, last night,. .Reputed to be of international renown, and also the fact that big prices were charged for a.dmissOon, it was reasonable to expect a first-class and thoroughly up-to-date entertainment. Instead, the show was very amateurish, the jokes were exceedingly 'stale, and the entertainjnent as a whole was of a very mediocre standard. The outstanding artist wa.s Miss Veta Gilbert, whose lyric soprano voice was much enjdyed. Her rendering of “Lo! Hear the gentle lark,” was very pleasing, and she w'as equally good in her other items. In addition to her work on the stage Miss Gilbert acted as accompanist to the other members. Mr Albert Carlisle, tenor, pleased with his rendition of “O, Sole mio,”a nd his other items were well received. Mr Sam Stern, who ha,s the reputation of being an international character comedian and the compose.!' of many songs, was a disappointment His interpretation of Jewish, Italian, and American character songs was' not of a very high standard, and much of his humour was of the ha,ckneye.d type. Miss Nanoya Mandinet in her character song. “Ukelele Lady,” was more pleasing than in her toe-dancing numbers. There were several other nieinbei's who contributed in various' ways towards the programme.