BRIGHT REVUE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22981, 8 March 1938, Page 14

BRIGHT REVUE

FUN AND "VAEIETY HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE TALENT FROM OVERSEAS The latest Frank Neil vaudeville production opened its Auckland season in a highly successful manner last night at His Majesty's Theatre, beforo a capacity house. Tho production fully lived up to its title, "The Wonder Show of World Stars," and provided entertainment of a bright order. 1' rom tho opening number, introducing tho attractive and well-trained ballet, tho revue went with a swing and, although it did not finish until a Into hour, tho time seemed to pass all too quickly. With this company of 'outstanding performers is Miss 1011 a Shields, who has made herself a name throughout the world for her character sketches, and who is inseparably connected with the character she created on tho London stage, "Burlington Bertie." The humour of tho revue was in the capable hands of Jim Gerald, popular Australian comedian. His appearance on the stago was invariably the signal for laughter, and ho presented some of the latest humour and comedy sketches, the fruit of a recent tour in America and England. Famous Character Miss Shields' personality and charm won her instant popularity with the audience) ""<1 numbers werti awarded lengthy applause. She presented several songs from her repertoire, including the evergreen Burlington Bertie" number, against a background. representing the haunts of this character, the Thames embankment at night. , Jim Gerald did yeoman s service throughout the evening, appearing in a number of bright sketches. In iosting a Letter" ho kept the audience constantly laughing by his portrayal of a belated reveller, and his inspired fooling was of an equally high standard in "The Fur Coat," "Jim Knows and "Shooting the Wife." Another shoi o number, "The Hold Up," met A\ith approval by its sheer absurdity. Troup of Clever Dogs Great interest was shown in "The Brioklavers," presented by Leonard Gautier's Dogs. Tho 12 performers in the troup were seen at work constructing a house, carrying bricks up a ladder to the staging round a halffinished building. The dogs, which were dressed in shiTts and trousers, presented a little tragedy when some cement bags fell on one of the workers. This was followed by some skilful acrobatics by the dogs, which leapt through windows in the buildings at each side of the stage on to swinging platforms. An exceptionally fine performance was given on the piano-accordion by Arue Hartman, who won favour for his rendering of lively tunes, including a medley of Sousa marches. U. S. Thompson, a negro dancer, gave a clever display of tap dancing, providing some amusing imitations. Juggling items to mimic were given by Munro and the Adams Sisters, and Janetski played brilliantlv on the xylophone. The ballet was a feature of the production, the girls appearing in colourful and varied costumes, and adding a lavish touch to the revue. The performance will be repeated to-night.