WILKIE BARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18424, 9 December 1921, Page 7

WILKIE BARD

It must bo admitted that, Mr Wilkie Bard, now delighting large audiences nightly at His Majesty’s Theatre, has not what would be described as a singing voice, though he informs his hearers m one of his clever sketches that he “wants to sing in opera” ; but he has what is better: the art of entertaining very highly developed. There is a freshness and spontaneity about his comedy that compels laughter, and there is not a coarse word, action, or suggestion in any of his performances; it is admirable fooling throughout. His stage setting for each of his characterisations is such os to show it off to best advantage, and his make-up is lifelike. Much of his comedy is in dumb show, his facial expression assisting at all times to make his points, Bfio performances last night were artistic throughout, and he always made his points legitimately. He is supported also by a high-class vaudeville company. There is not one who appears who is not an artist in his or her particular line, and each turn is enjoyable, while all the humour is clean atid devoid of coarseness. It would lie possible to select some performer who has equalled—perhaps even excellent —any member of the company; but there has never been seen on the stage at Dunedin a company which combined so many artists of such excellent merit. The company will only appear tonight and to-morrow night, so that those who desire to sec them should lose no time.