“OUT WEST”

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12455, 25 May 1926, Page 4

“OUT WEST”

FRESH BREEZE AT FULLERS. A fresh north-west wind sweeps across the stage at His Majesty’s this week. And during its passage George Ward puts on a complete little play which is appropriately styled “Out West.” It is full of the west—not the west of heavy tragedy which is so often read of in novels, hut the lighter side of ranch life—with keystone bandits and sheriffs, and a sprinkling of pretty out-back, attractive ladies. Little Hermie Shultz aocepts the position of sheriff only because he wants to be a hero, and when he turns around to find a huge red haired bandit standing beside him his apologies and protestations are screamingly funny. Abe Oohen, the sheriff of the Osage country (Bert La Blanc) is also quite brave till the voice of his better half summons him to wash the dishes in ihe “Lame Dog” saloon, which he owns. Then his courage fails. The revue is quite snappy, and gives the members of the Ward Company appropriate parts in the western romance, Miss Adelaide Taylor taking the role of Nell Cohen, Abe’s daughter. Dorothy Bishop, the new school alarm, is played by Miss Daisy Yates, and the part suits her. The musical and vocal numbers give the show some atmosphere, ana “Cobber of Mine” and “The Ne’er Do Well” were vehicles for William Beresford, who does not appear here for the first time. With Miss Taylor he sang “Oregon Trail. Lila Marion, Carlton Chase and Yorka Gray also took part in the songs, while behind all worked four of the Snapshot Six, providing a novel and extremely attractive ballet to complete the effect of the different numbers. Their frocking is a feature of their performance. The “Old Nigger Minstrels” are to be farewelled at the end of the current week. Their final show is the best of the three programmes they have staged, and every number is accepted with delight by the crowd. Linn Smith and his jazz band take the audience through the catching strains of Lulu, Susie, and the popular ‘Moonlight and Roses,” each individual member being featured in turn with solo work. Ward Lear is ever popular with his whistling and laughing songs, and Will Kenny, John Rorke and George Day are much enjoyed in vocal pieces. Ronnie Whelan, the dancing coon, also pleases. Perhaps the most popular of the show last evening was Jack Kearns, but he left a bad taste with his sometimes too colour fine songs and jokes. They were “risque.” Fullers this week is light and airy, full of pep and swing, and brimming over with the best of song and music.