PRINCESS THEATRE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18999, 23 October 1923, Page 10

PRINCESS THEATRE.

All theatre-going Dunedin must have attended the premiere at the Princess Theatre yesterday afternoon, and evening of the celebrated "Stiffy and Mo” revqe combination, judging by the record attendances at the two shows. The two comedians —Mr Aat Phillips and Mr Roy Rene—who give the company its title, offer humour of a novel and entertaining kind, and are, in fact, as happy a pair of funmakers as the local stage has presented. The encounters of the redheaded "Stifiy” and the ultra-Yiddish "Mo" can be guaranteed to excite the risible faculties oi the most blase, and the initial performance won them a host of friends and presented substantial guarantee of a prosperous season in Dunedin. It is not only that the two leaders are mirth-provokers of a fine order; the company assembled round them is of a calibre well above that of preceding visitors, and the ensemble is very complete and invogoratiug. In this first essay “Stiffy” and “Mo” appear as waiters in a restaurant, and their vagaries provoke an almost continuous ripple of mirth. Incidentally they are persuaded into an intrigue, with the object of kidnapping a restaurant beauty for a Turkish harem, and this venture miscarries, with most ludicrous results. Such as it is. that is the plot, but in truth the story has little bearing on the merits of the show, which lie between the clever and often witty stunts and jokes of “Stifiy” and "Mo,” and the bright mixture of song, dance, and. specialty purveyed by the supporting principals and an extremely agile and talented, ballot of six. It is a regular orgy of fun, without much method, but certainly effective in the main object of all revue—to create laughter. “Stiffy” and “Mo” are, of course, The principal centre of attraction, and the pair are responsible lor a great deal of dry humour, which quits frequently provoke? screams of laughter. The company proved itself to be a strong one, each and all of the members, even to the ballet, proving themselves well above the average of revue performers. Musically, one and all contributed a full share, and the items provided are quite a feast in themselves. The opening song, “Dancing Merrily,” in which guests and waitresses join, i® a particularly .good one, and has a swing which is very pleasing. Needless to say it provoked loud and prolonged applause. “Stiffy” and “Mo” are responsible for two duets, “Irish and Jew” and “Where’s There’s a Jew There’s Interest,” both of which were rendered most acceptably. Dot Davis’s number, which was a pleasing contribution, was “Ogie, Ogie, Wai Wai,’ a song in which the ballet assisted greatly. One of the best items of the evening was ‘Yes, We Have No Bananas,” which was well sung by Keith Connolly and Gladys Shaw. “Kiss Baby,” given by Queonie Paul and the ballet earned its full share of applause, as also did “Maryland,” by Peter Brooks and the ballet, and “Ireland” by the former unassisted. The scene is a particularly pleasing one, and the dressing left nothing to be desired. This v.-ns specially so with regard to the ballet, the costumes being particularly attractive. While there are no new acts on the vaudeville side, the full strength of the clever coterie of artists who provided such sterling entertainment last week was engaged in an entirely new routine, which made an enjoyable preface to the revue. The chief offering, of course, was that of Captain Adams and Odiva’s seals. This is an act that loses nothing in repetition, and a second view confirms the previously stated opinion that it stands without peer among the many animat acts exhibited at the Princess. Aston and Marshall, the Bohemian duo, harmonise pleasurably in selections from Pagliacci and other grand operas. They also rendered very pleasingly “That Old Irish Mother of Mine.” Keeley and Aldous offered a lively and wellconceived admixture of song, dance and comedy, and Miss Trixie Ireland, now something of an idol with Princess patrons, made a bulls-eye hit, her items being “Hero’s a Health to Those We Love” and “Spring is Coming.” The finals of the competition for amateurs giving the best demonstration in the tank of Mile. Odiva’s “stunts” caused’ much diversion on Saturday evening. The cup presented by the management was won by Violet Hutton and Captain Adams’s prize by O’Donnell.