PRINCESS THEATRE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19697, 26 January 1926, Page 6

PRINCESS THEATRE.

Now in its second week at the Princess Theatre, George Ward’s Snapshot Revue Company has shown clearly that it can even surpass tho high standard set by its initial offering. Last night the theatre was full, and no one regretted the price of his seat. It was a bright, snappy show, not overburdened with comedy and yet with sufficient humour to keep the audience bent forward in its seats, eager to catch every word and willing to listen to more. But that is the art of not overdoing it. When a comedian knows that his hearers are clamouring for more he has put bn a good turn. George Ward, Bert Le Blanc, and Les Wharton put on a good turn last night, though -for that matter the whole company did, but we are speaking of the comedy in the meantime. Les Wharton’s part as Deacon Jones wae not a big one, but it was accurate and by no means lacking in humour. But Abe Oohen (the sport), and Little Hermie (called Little, presumably, because he’s not, except in height) kept the flowing bowl of laughter well filled without obtruding themselves. It is an unsual revue, containing a story of a kind, and this four subsequently gives place to a series of picturesque tableaux (or tabloids as Cohen calls thorn) of London of 200 years ago. The first part is largely composed of a little domestic intrigue of Abo’s. Abe and his accomplice Hermie have been on a holiday, allegedly to the mountains. It might have been their ..original intention to go to the mountains. They might conceivably have set out for the mountains with visions of chamois and thar and skiing and climbing. But tho fact remains they did not go. Instead they went to Coney Island, and there thev met Flossie Footlights, an actress. It is when they come back that tho trouble starts. Mrs Cohen is anxious to hear of their adventures, and after some questioning she learns something of their hunting prowess—how they got a little “deer.” They shot it—at least it was half shot—and they took it homo in a taxi cab. Lie follows lie, and the tangled web is growing more tangled. Meanwhile Flossie rings to say she is coming up to see them, and a panic starts. Flossie arrives in clue course, and tho fun commences’when efforts are made to keep her concealed in a spare room, with Mrs Cohen slightly suspicious. The good lady discovers various articles of feminine apparel, and is placated after each discovery by Hermie reassuring her thattney had brought them from the mountains for her. Finally a handbag comes to light, and they tell her it is from a crocodile skin. “But it is an old bag,”.she expostulates. “Ah, yes, but the crocodile was old,” they say. But it is no good. There is a vanity case inside, and that did not come from a crocodile, and finally, when she catches Abo giving Flossie a kiss tho fat is in the fire. Even this awkward situation, however, is overcome by Hermio’s clever manipulation of an old lie, and 'Mrs Cohen is convinced that Flossie is Hcrmie’s sister. She makes amendments for her mistake by inviting her guest to join them in seeing tho tableaux scenes. After some good comedy work between tho two principals, the scene changes and tho tableaux scenes begin. They are colourful vignettes of incidents in life —a little strawberry seller offering her wares to courting couples, and other pictures *>f courting at Vauxhall, Lincoln’s Inn and Islington Fair. All are beautifully arranged and tastefully coloured. Daisy Yates played tho ’'art, of Mrs Cohen and Flossie was played by Patsie Hill. The remaining characters were portrayed by Yorke Gray. Vernon Sellars, Oarlton Chase, Valda Leach, and Dorrie Tointon, who was also responsible for tho arrangement of the attractive ballets and ensembles. Tho singing, of course, was one of the brightest features, aitd the principal items were “Lazy Daisies,” by Daisy Yates and the Snapshot Six ; “Hard Hearted Hannah,” by Oarlton Chase, and tho .Six; “That Red Hoad Girl,” York Grey and Six; “Georgia,” Patsy Hill and Six; and several others. On the vaudeville side there are three newcomers. The Cavana Due, Bella and Morris, and Charles Sherman. . Tho firstmentioned are a pair of clever entertainers who present a bright, circus-like show entitled “Tho Free Exhibition.” The young lady plays a harp well and dances attractively while her male partner is a humorist, who wears a sailor suit and walks on the tightrope, tying himself occasionally into grotesque knots —sailors’ knots, he calls them. It is a good turn. Bella and Morris are a breezy pair who sing and dance and make their hearers laugh _ with their burlesque. Charles Sherman is known to most of Fullers’ patrons. He sings and recites ditties at the piano, and one of his most successful offerings is a parody on “Tho Shooting of Dan MTlrew.” Morris and Cowley, the vocal comedians, present, a new and entertaining turn, and some bright Kinging and step dancing is offered by Farrell anti Massey.