"THE ROYAL SUNBEAMS."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19832, 30 December 1927, Page 13

"THE ROYAL SUNBEAMS."

A BRIGHT ENTERTAINMENT.

Childish vivacity is always appealing. The quaint earnestness of children at play has an attraction for most people. When that elusive quality is supported by beautiful settings, gay costumes and appropriate music, children can offer an entertainment full of appeal for any "grown-up." -"Carnival Time," the new "revue" programme presented this week by the Royal Australian Sunbeams at the National Theatre, is a fine example. The £*unbeams, who have already demonstrated their claim to this cheery title, opened yesterday with a completely new programme, quite up to the standard of their first production. All their acts are and very original. The costumes are a particularly appealing feature. Brightlycoloured and ingeniously designed, they give a joyful atmosphere to a crowded hour of song, naive humour and charming ballet effects. The dash and finish with which the latter items are carried out is a fine tributo to the skill and patience of the youthful company's talented directress. Yesterday's audience was particuarly charmed with a flower and butterfly ballet, in which the taller girls, dressed as butterflies, flitted daintily among a charming array of little, human flowers, bidding them open to the sun and weaving intricate designs in the play of the spotlights. A Hawaiian setting to "Ukulele Lady" was both pretty and amusing. There are no intervals. From the opening chorus to the picturesque "Goodbye" one item follows another with the minimum of delay. One of the most striking displays is the performance cf the Sunbeam Acrobatic Wonders. marvellous infants seem to be made oE rubber. Even the youngest can turn "flips" with a rapidity that leaves tlis audience breathless, but discomposes her not at all, while the living pyramids and tableaux are worthy of the most advanced gymnasts. The comedy side is_ very efficiently looked after bv Jackie Clarke, whose impish humour has already won him a great reputation. _An excellent supporting programme of pictures, headed by a melodrama entitled. "Ringed is also screened. Blanche Sweet and Warner Baxter play the leading roles.