HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE

New Zealand Times, Volume LIV, Issue 12651, 11 January 1927, Page 11

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE

CLEVER BURLESQUE ON “WHITE CARGO.”

The exceptionally clever burlesque on I<eon Gordon’s “White Cargo, ’’ which made its first appearance at His Majesty’s Theatre last night, is only one of a number of splendid items given, by; the Midnight Frolics, who are reaching a height of popularity hardly exceeded in Wellington by any previous company, good m some of them have been. “Black and White Cargo” is the title of the burlesque, which comprises two scenes, and is a wonderfully clever take-off of . the essence ,of the original play. Clem. Dawe does the doctor splendidly, the doctor fond of “nips” on the fever-stricken African coast, and given to telling his patients that they will get acclimatised;. “Fond-as-ello” is a humorous, yet good personation of the female of doubtful character. Eric • Edgley makes an excellentdouble of Leon Witzel, with his snarls and cynicisms, and the -missionary is well portrayed by Oscar Beck. It is a splendid piece of comedy, which all will enjoy. ‘‘The Musio Store” is another diverting little piece of comedy by Edgley. and Dawe, with Nell McGuire and Thyllig Amery as customers. “Lingerie,” a little piny on present-day fashions and . bedroom plays, is a farcical turn which provokes plenty of laughter, while “The Last Shot” interprets one of the final scenes of the war at an outpost in the hills, in which the Sultan makes the final conquest of the - non-com.’s wife after a great last stand. . These items alone are an entertainment, but there were numerous other items, humorous, sentimental and instrumental, the whole comprising a programme the length and quality of which has not been heard in Wellington for many a long day. Gregory Ivanoff is a great master of the violin, and gave a splendid interpretation of Korsakoff’s “Cappricio Espagnole,” • papular songs, and with the jazzy band as accompanist, brought down the house with Rachmaninoff’s “Prelude.” He also played the'Mance “On Wings of Love,” to charming dancing by Phyllis Amery, in a particularly pretty scene. He also played- in “The Prisoner’s Song,” sung by Alec Regan and company. Les. White appeared in frolics of his own and gained a generous measure of applause, and Phyllis Amery, in a French song, “I’vo Got 55e Eye,” was very captivating, has a trio of pretty dancers ns chorus. Violet Lester followed the prologue with a brilliant colour scene and song, “Little Old World,” and Edgley and Dawe were the life and soul right through the programme, Clem. Dawe working, like the proverbial nigger, and he earned well-merited applause. Oscar Beck’s rendering of “Take a Pair'of Sparkling Eyes,” shows him the possessor of a fine tenor voice and good interpretation, and Alec Regan. Ronald .Stafford and Louis Cottam all add tlieir ability to what n a most entertaining evening. The sc-elierv is really most picturesque: and the dregsfig are qauftlly, «aarf" and afto-fly.

There were several other items which fully merited the hearty measure of applause accorded them, and the musical accompaniments were also worthy of their meed of praise, for their task was by no means a light or easy one, and reflected credit on the musical conductor, Ronald Stafford. There is merriment galore right through the nrogramme, and thoso who fail to see the Midnight Frolics will miss one of the brightest events in the entertainment world which has appeared in Wellington for many n long day.