PRINCESS THEATRE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19531, 14 July 1925, Page 11

PRINCESS THEATRE.

For those people who are fond of a good laugh, and like watching and hearing clever vaudeville and can appreciate the efforts of a musical oomedy company to entertain them with dialogue* donning, and singing, this week’s programme at the Princess Theatre can be strongly recommended. In the first half there- are two new vaudeville acts, both of which are of , a high standard. Of outstanding merit is the turn given by. Asp den and Upstoae. The former is Mr William J. Aspden, a gifted operatic baritone singer, and Bin latter Miss Constance Dpstone, AT<T T. They treated the audience to an enjoyable selection of pianoforte solos and songs. In addition to several popular songs, they were heard in some exoerpts fiom grand opera. Miss Upstone showed herself to be a pianist of considerable merit, and Mr Aspden is certainly a talented vocalist. His principal , items last night were “Happy Moments," ; “Two Grenadiers,” and. “Shipmates O' Mine." Needless to say bot)i were loudly applauded. The other new arrival' 'is “Babarina,’’ a female performer, who did some skilful wire walking and contortionist work. Assisting her was a small but most intelligent Pomeranian dog which entered into his work with the utmost aiaqrity and accuracy. The Pom partnered the Tatty in a skipping rope danoe, and standing erect on its hind legs it jumped the rope with all the enjoyment of a school girl. / The Pom. also performed a oomedy act by itself. A small fence and a swing-gate arrangement was placed near its pedestal, and when the lady had left the stage’the Pom. strutted rip to the gate, opened, passed through, and shut it again from the other side—quite a neat little performance. The little dog was also an assisting artist when the lady was performing some bodytwisting and turning operations. The turn, was altogether a novel one, and it made an . drophatio appeal to the patrons. Little ; Willie Lancet. London’s diminutive performer, who has entered on- his final week at the Princess Theatre, presented, an. interesting and entertaining sketch" entitled “Willie Goes to Sea." On this occasion Willie is attired in a sailor suit, and is responsible for some clever dialogue? which keeps the audience in a simmer of laughter. His final act is a boxing match'with, his attistants, which is specially well done. Mr Ben Beno went through another, of, his hair-raising performances on a small trapeze hung high in the auditorium. Seated on- a chair he does some amazing and breathcatching balancing acts on the bar of-the swinging trapeze. A novel attraction 5 is that given by the Lampinis, in "which Madame Lampini answers a series of questions submitted by the audience, and does it in such a humorous way as to keep the audience in good mood from start to finish. M. Lampini announced at the conclusion of the performance that further questions would be answered each evening. Mr Phil Smith’s Musical Comedy Company was responsible for the second h«l* of the programme, the playlet on this occasion being entitled “Just a Girl.” It is a specially bright piece and there is not a dull moment from the rlsa of the curtain to the fall. The dressing is particularly good, and apart from the work of the principals, which is excellent throughout, the Smiling Six as usual render valuable assistance; their dancing being quite a feature of the performance. In this connection a word of praise is due to Miss Mildred O’Brien, who, in association with Mr Al. Mack, is responsible for the ballets and ensembles.. The story of the playlet concerns one Colonel Barrington (Al. Mack), who has had some cash, but has speculated unwisely and has used his daughters to pull him out of his troubles. A young “nowly-rich” named Jacob Foster (Robert Raymond) has special leanings and is anxious to get into the social swim, And to this end seeks social recognition and the affections of Blossom (Phyllis Nicholson), daughter of Colonel Barrington, but she rejects him. This young Foster, however, has assumed control of the stockbroking ten in which" Barrington has his money invested, and for revenge commences to hammer Barrington’s stock. John Henry (William Greene) has been a bad lad in his time, being addicted to gambling and drinking, but being accepted by Blossom as her swain, promises to be good. His late partner in crime, Biif (Phil Smith), comes to him with a good thing “straight from the horse’s mouth,” but John Henry maintains his good resolutions. However. Barrington is ruined, and he calls Biff back and invests his last thousand—all he has left from the wreck. The horse wins, and as a result 25,000 dollars is paid to the Colonel’s ’ credit, and everything appears favourable, but Blossom discovers that John Henry has been gambling and she gives him back his ring. Things look blue for John, until his friend Biff starts in to abuse him, then the girl flies to her lover's defence and all ends happily. The acting throughout is unusually good, and the singing is quite a feature. The best item of the evening was probably the duet, “Some Girls," for the rendering of which Phil Smith and William Greene are vociferously applauded. Other vocal renderings given included “Oh, Baby.” Ida Merton and the Smiling Six; “Riley’s Cowshed,” Nat Hanley and the Smiling Six; “Hurdy Gurdy Blues,’’ Ida Merton and the Smiling Six; “Georgia Rose,” Robert Raymond; “I’m a Sailor,” Nat Hanley: “When My Ships,” Peggy Pont; and “Doodle Doo Doo,” Peggy Nicholson and girls. Nat Hanley also contributes a whistling specialty. Fuller’s orchestra, under the direction of Mr F. H. Stokes, contribute the incidental music in its usual capable manner. The same programme will be repeated this evening, and every evening this week.