“LEAGUE OF NOTIONS”

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 208, 1 August 1928, Page 3

“LEAGUE OF NOTIONS”

FULLER'S SUCCESSFUL REVUE

SEASON AT OPERA HOUSE. A revue may liavo any title, for it is a form of entertainment with no coherency of theme or action. It is at times musical comedy elaborated and run wild, or ono may find it a pot pound of conventional vaudeville. London, tho real homo of revue, has seen spelled out in electrical devices along the Strand and in Leicester Square such a conglomeration as “Some,” “More,” “Como In,"’ and “Half Past Nine” —tlie show started at 9.0 U p.iii. Very expressive titles and beautiful productions wero they. And now there has conio to town a revue with an equally, expressive label. “The League of Notions” is a Puller presentation, and becauso tho Fuller firm have a growing reputation for v satisfying theatrical faro in an age when the public are more difficult to please in the matter of entertainment, a reputation that was greatly made more secure by three musical comedies of excellence, tho first night of tho season at tho Opera House saw a nearly crowded auditorium assembled. The show was rung in and it was found that the latest Fuller revue was more than a “League of Notions” —ono found a medley of absurdities, amusing and artistically beyond anticipation, amusingly in league yet contrasting spectacular beauty. And ono found, very mucli to one’s satisfaction, tho drollery of Sid Bock, a comedian new to Palmerston North. Furthermore were discovered —and very happily, old friends in Quecnic Paul and Miko Connors, delightful people who were always more than acceptable in the days when occasionally they appeared at the vaudoville in Courtonay Place, Wellington. Qucenio Paul is such a delightful artist as to make one wish that all musical comedy and revue leads were possessed of her charm and magnetic personality. A delightful, fairhaired girl who sings with tho tropical warmth of an Australian summer in her voice is Qucenio Paul; and Mike Connors is still the same personality—genial, vigorous and full voiced. Undoubtedly, these bright little productions Sir Benjamin Buber sends on tllOaroad periodically havo their following, and everywhere they unpack and go through tlie stage door they impress tho people in front by their earnestness in their endeavour to please; and they leave pleasant memories of brightness in stage sotting, artistic finish in dancing and clean, broad humour. Tho newcomers are a likeable lot and are strengthened by Mr Linn Smith and his “Syncopating Syphonists,” as they aro programmed. A miniature, but a striking miniature, of the Havana and Santrey’s Bands aro they, .and when they take the stage for half an hour with tho music that was born along with revuo tho joyous rhythm of tho inconsequential melodics imparts itself to tile audience, and everyono is on good terms with tho players of “Blue Skies” “After the Storm,” “Beneath Thy Window.” And then, as a striking climax, Miss Paul sings to their accompaniment the appealing, sentimental “Charmaino.” She sings it so well that sho must pcrforco repeat it twice, and the first portion of the revue is a decided success. Tlie second part docs not fall from grace as so many other spectacular shows. But before the final curtain Mr Beck again reveals what a clever artist lie is. His antics aro tho most absurd po:sible, and becauso his work is not forced it succeeds in making the most cynical and hypercritical really amused. His eccentric dancing and gagging are immense. There is a good foil to Mr Beck in Mr Ernie Paulasto, and there is a splendid young baritone singer in Mr Les Pearce, who fits in very well with sentimental numbers, or tho lighter type of musical comedy songs. There wore several original sketches —one entitled “The Rehearsal” was tho best —with many quips with tho label “fresh” on them, and there was a colourful scene reminiscent of “Rose Marie,” with its gay-plumed Indians and tho singing of tho haunting “Love Call” by Miss Paul and Air Pearce. In between times there wero pretty soubrottes in Valerie Rougal and Phyllis Baker, with tho Exqusiitc Six in support, to sing brigiit ditties of no particular merit lyrically or musically, and there was Miss Gladys Shaw singing a peculiar number with a background of sportive, black cats. Tho last named is also a most powerful sifflcusc. In fact, sho is nearly able to overpower tho orchestra. The chorus girls work hard and often.

The season will be concluded this evening when another bright programme will be presented.