HIS MAJESTY'S

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12425, 20 April 1926, Page 11

HIS MAJESTY'S

“WANTED, A WIFE” ENJOYABLE VAUDEVILLE PROGRAMME. A news film, four good variety turns, and a delightful comedy, one of Phil Smith’s best, comprise the new programme which opened at His Majesty’s Theatre last night, when a large audience showed its appreciation in unmeasured terms. The doings of Sir Harry Lauder figured in the news picture illustrating topical events. Franks and Newton made a successful first appearance in Wellington in a -very charming dance number, in the course of which some clever patter was put over, including several original connundrums. Their second number was a combination of ballroom, ballet, acrobatic, and Russian dancing, while the imitation of a couple endeavouring to dance a waltz on skates was cleverly dome, and was very humorous. The Rev. Frank Gorman sang a sentimental and a humorous song, and then kept the audience in continual laughter with a string of yarns, several of them on the humorous side of the modern woman’s dress. By request he sang “In the Land of Wedding Bells,” with a, church-like accompaniment. It was unfortunate that little Jean Megan, the very clever English performer, was suffering from a severe cold on her first appearance, yet her several items were so refreshing and delightful that the audience gave her a rousing reception. Her first contribution was “Don’t Bring Lulu,” a 6ong and dance, and her little country song was pretty. Her greatest success was the personation of a London Johnny, a coster and a parson reciting “Sing a Song of Sixpence.” Joe Brennan was a scream with'his new numbers, and he brought the house down when he said Dame Clara Butt had nothing on him in opera, and finished upon his top notes, which was hardly equal to Dame Clara’s. Then his partner, Ida Newton, jodned him in a comedy sketch with a sea salt- flavour, and the patter which took place on the deck of the ship was funny in the extreme. It would he hard to find their equal as a musical comedy couple, and they are having a successful Wellington season. Joe Brennan’s last item was a presentation of an old soldier endeavouring to recall to memory the deeds qf long ago; his impersonation of a garrulous old man with failing memory being excellent. “Wanted a . Wife” was the title of the playlet submitted by Phil Smith’s Musical Comedy Company, which is full erf comicalities from beginning to end. The first scene is a street and a church, the best “anywhere,” and the last a drawing-room in Charles Pickford’s house. The butler and housemaid at Charles Pickford’s house are single when engaged, but get married later. Charles finds himself in the position of having to secure a wife at potioe, and this leads to some ludicrous situations of a most mirthprovoking character. It contains some pretty dances for the Smiling Six in costumes, charming and artistic, from an apparently inexhaustible wardrobe. The musical numbers were very catchy, and the opening number, “I Mias Mary Swiss,” by William Green, Charles Megan, Mildred O’Brien, and the girls, went with a good swing. Nat Hanley was great as a comedian, and he keeps the audienoe in a lively humour. Phil Smith is a continual laugh, and as the bridegroom was in a role in which he revelled. • Peggy Peat and Robert Raymond were also very pleasing. “Ukuelo Lady,” by Nellie Dean, and tho piano speciality by Nat Hanley, and “Jealousy” by Peggy Peat were amongst tho best numbers. The accompaniments and incidental music were by Fuller’s Orchestra, under the direction of Mrs Aldridge.