BRIGHT REVUE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23274, 17 February 1939, Page 14

BRIGHT REVUE

AUSTRALIAN BOYS TALENTED PERFORMERS VERSATILITY A KEYNOTE Performing with the assurance of mature artists and the verve natural to their youth, the Young Australian Boys' Band and Revue held a crowded audience entertained for two and a-ha!t hours last night, when the Auckland season of the company opened at lII* Majesty's Theatx-e. The bovs showed remarkable versatility, and the 30 numbers on the programme,* presented in non-stop revue fashion, included band pieces solos, comedy numbers, sketches and dances. The brilliance of the production evoked whole-hearted applause. Although every member of the company performed with distinction, particular praise must be given to the 16-year-old comedian George Nichols, who reduced the house to a state of helpless laughter. One of the highlights of the production was his number "Scotch Broth," while he also excelled in a number of impersonations of well-known film stars. Female Impersonations

Colin Croft was another popular performer and his impression of Mae West and his other female impersonations were cleverly done. Also a prominent member of the cast was the conductor of the stage band, Charles Stanton, aged 14, who proved himself to be a skilful tapdancer and an able actor in several of the sketches presented. Brilliant comedy talent was coupled with clever eccentric dancing in the case of Ron Morris, his height of 6ft. sin. being a characteristic which he turned to advantage. Colour and diversity were given to the revue by the numbers in which practically the whole company performed, and in these the stage band was deservedly popular. The boys showed splendid combination and as instrumentalists they are of a very high standard. After opening the production with "The Fleet's in Port,' the band's other numbers were a musical melange, introducing a number of soloists, and the finale, which included several popular tunes. Instrumental Solos The versatility of the performers was nowhere shown to better advantage than in the instrumental solos, which included piano accordion, Spanish guitar, violin, trumpet, xylophone and drum numbers. Tribute must also be paid to the unobtrusive excellence of the band which accompanied rnanv of the numbers from the orchestral pit. The production was a pleasure from start to finish and it could scarcely be realised that none of the performers were over 18 years of age, while the majority were between 14 and 36. It is a tribute to the talent available in Australia that such a company could be assembled.