THE ‘LEAGUE OF NOTIONS’

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6676, 1 August 1928, Page 8

THE ‘LEAGUE OF NOTIONS’

SUCCESSFUL FULLER REVUE OPENS AT OPERA HOUSE. Variety ,in revue is the keynote of success. As experts, realising this fact,, the Fuller management have for years widened tbeir path of with the Australasian public by tho importation of artists, who haye that sparkle and appeal which the modern theatregoing audience demands. With the heralded appearance of tha* gay and entertaining company, the “League of Notions," led by Queenle Paul and Mike Connor, and with the Puller trademark of quality upon it, the Palmerston North public were assured of the latest and brightest in revue, ..Remembering the success of tne George Wallace Company which was here some months ago, the success of the “League of Notions" in Palmerston North should occasion no surprise. When the curtain rose on the.first scene last evening, it rose upon an audience as generous in proportions as it. w.as_ in appreciation. It was a house which paid its tribute to a company of masters in variety, a company which included artists of wide and diverse accomplishments, skilled in the- ready, heady sparkle of revue. There is little doubt that much of the popularity of the revue with theatre-goers, is duo to its variety, which is much' more the spice of life these modern days than it was some years ago. /Mike Connor and ''Queenie Paul with - that entertaining company, taking variety as their'wateh word, gave the big audience; three and a half /hours ’ of joy, inconsequential nothings, lilting catchy melodies, delightful dancing, and the humour of. clever comedy. It is a: long time since Palmerston North, has seen a comedian of the ability of Mr. Syd. Beck—Fuller’s recent importation from abroad. George Wallace’, wo had seen before, and appreciated to the full. Syd. Beck was a hew comer and like many new-comers a surprise. Without a comedian of ability, a revue is bloodless, and its success, as a rule, is in proportion to the popularity of its fun. maker. So it proved last evening, when the inimitable drollery of Mr. Beck, alone would have more than satisfied the audience. They could not see enough of Him —ho was unquestionably ono of the greatest sue-, cesses as a comedian who has-ever appeared in this town. Rivalling Mr. Beck in popularity but in no wise eclipsing, his star of laughter, was Linn Smith’s famous jazz hand —an association of six artists in syncopation who had the audience toe tap-, ping involuntarily and in spite of them selves. These modern days, says'the Dixieland ditty syncopation rules the nation, if it has not quite attained to those heights yet, it is of never ending popular appeal, and in the hands of Tjinn Smith and his merry men, tho latest and catchiest' from the jazz factories was a revelation. .The Smith synoopists did not confine themselves alone to jazz but rendered also such well known favourites as ‘Beneath Thy Window’ and ‘O, Star, of Eve]’ in which latter number; Mr. Smith's, eccentric piano-playing was remarkable. There was ■ not a dull moment from curtain to curtain. When the audience was not convulsed with the drollery ol Syd. Beck and Ernie Paulasto, it was, acclaiming Mr. Les Pearce in’ some solo number of merit. Mr. Pearce and Miss Paul were tho vocalists of , the conir pany, and of a higher order' than are usually found with a revue!.'There was a wealth of amusing comedy judiciously intermingled with effective . ballet em sombles, catchy and tuneful syncopation with last but far from least some unusual numbers provided by the. girl whistler, Miss Gladys Shaw. The company have an entirely different programme for to-night, one in which variety and attractiveness arc again the keynotes. The ballets were another entirely charming feature of the “League." A Fuller ballot is always well trained and delightfully froeked, but the ‘exquisite six’ last evening-were even more so than their predecessors. Originality and pep were the distinguishing features of their work, which was given with well trained unison throughout.