PRINCESS THEATRE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18952, 28 August 1923, Page 9

PRINCESS THEATRE.

Number six of Mr George Wallace’s en iei'ltiininp revue shows was produced at the Princess Theatre last night in the presence >f a large and thoroughly appreciative audience. The comedy is based upon the humorous idea bf a whole village being initiated into the arduous physical training Dy a gymnastic instructor. All sorts ana conditions of life, as may be supposed to luxuriate in buocolic circles, congregated in this gymnasium such as a runner, a boxer, a blow-in (whatever that may be), a swimmer, anti last, but not least, Ronald the nuisance, a character, it need not be said, identified with Mr Wallace himself. The gymnast, Mr Marshall Crosby, has a specific for weariness n a pill, with something of tho qualities 100 times agrandised of the “pink, pills for pale people.’’ When this is administered to our friend Mr Wallace his antics are astonishing, and a big proportion of the comedy is concentrated a* this point The show concludes with a really fine aerobatic tumbling ensemble. Mr Wallace’s humour loses nothing with closer acquaintance. He is a genuine original who without the least boisterousness distributes the laughs royally with b6th hands. A clever interpretation in the middle of-the piece was his sketch “Shabby Genteel,” a mixture of drama and comedy to which his talent lent alternately amusement and impressiveness. As usual, Mr Marshall Crosby was an able first lieutenant to the commodore of fun, scoring heavily with his ' number, “Hiram 8.,” with the six rascals, and in other straight songs. Miss Nellie Hall’s appealing methods, and slight but sweet voice, found suitable vehicle in “I Never Knew” and other items, and amongst other notable songs and specialties were: “Meet Me in Dixie Land,” by the Six Rascals; “To-morrow,” by Miss Hilda Gitford; “Any Complaints,’ by Mr Reg. Collins; and an original dance by Bebc Scott and Jack White. The many firm friends of the Wallace Company will find in this piece that their favourite has lost none of his skill as a laughsmith, and, with the accessories of pretty and wellcaparisoned girls, the show has its appeal to eye os well as to ear. Tho quiet but original humour of Mr Wallace becomes more and more appreciated as one performance succeeds the other, and will be remembered long after tho Wallace Revue season has concluded in Dunedin. The vaudeville was provided by four acts, all now installed in public favour. Miss Anna Burke pleased with new songs; Gwen and Hamilton, whose delicate methods lend a novel flavour to topical matter, made a bull’s-eye hit, and gave a turn which earned for them loud and sustained applause. Mr Jack Morrissey, the champion stockwhip cracker, am-a-zed 'the audience "with a- whole now series, disclosing indefatigable skill in flicking articles, almost from the f? 06 °* his assistant, with a whip whose slightest slip would result in serious injury. The dexterity with which he manipulates a stock whip and a bullock whip—sometimes both at "one time—proved him to bo m tho forefront of whip manipulators, and has to be remembered that there are not a few in this country, but more particularly in Australia, who claim to bo thoroughly expert with the whip. Mr Morrissey introduced a new feature last night in a rifle shooting turn, and unniiatakoably demonstrated his ability as a marksman. Mr Charles O’Mara, tho character comedian and singer, introduced a whole raft of new songs and jests. This already plenteous bill will be augmented to-night by the debut of the Jubilee Trio, harmony and melody makers, who come to Dunedin with a very big reputation.