PRINCESS THEATRE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19762, 13 April 1926, Page 7

PRINCESS THEATRE.

In the years pone by the favourite form of entertainment was a nipper miMtrel show, but with the passing of the times so went the burnt cork, the bones, and tambourines. The young people of to-day have been told fireside stories by their parents of those wonderful old shows. Xow, the young people will have an opportunity cf seeing for themselves what minstrel shows were really like, for at the Princess Theatre last night there appeared for the first time the Old bagger Minstrels. The theatre was filled with both young and old folk, and the instantaneous success scored by the troupe augurs well for its Dunedin season. From the opening chorus to the finale the show- went with a swing. The audience laughed heartily at the antics of the men with the bones and tambourines and at the jokes—mostly new —which were passed between the interlocutor and the corner men, while some of them joined m the singing cf such old-time ballads as Sweet Chiming Bells.” To all they proved what a wealth of ability was required to make up a really first-class sample of old-time vaudeville show. Several of the Minstrel Company were themselves popular artists when the black-faced comedians held sway. The interlocutor —generally known as air Johnson—who sat in the centre and announced the items and assisted the °™ r » in their comedy interludes, was Mr >V nl Kenny Mr Ward Lear, always a favourite, rattled the bones on one corner, while Mr Jack Kearns, another stalwart, operated the tambourine at the opposite end. Other minstrels made up the circle, so-called. The Linn Smith Rag-time, Band formed a contrasting background, the old and the new coming into direct contrast. The show opened with a jovial chorus in which ail hands took part. Mr George Dav. a very worthy baritone, sang the old favourite, ‘‘The Song that Reached My Heart,” and two of the other members of the company assisted in making the finalmovement a trio. Mr Ward Lear gav* his celebrated “Whistling Coon, and for a hearty encore revived his equally celebrated “Laughing” song. Mr John Eorke, a sturdy and melodious tenor, sang the ballad “Sweet Chiming Beils.’ Another ballad, ‘Mv Lad,’l was sung by Mr W ill Kenny. Mr Jack Kearns was at the top of his form in a burlesque opera, followed by a burlesque dance. The Linn Smith Rag-time Band played various compositions, and achieved all the outlandish effects procurable from unorthodox manipulations of their various instruments. Some hair-raising melodies were emitted on special occasions, when certain astonishing gadgets were attached to the ends of their instruments. The band shared with the minstrels as hearty a reception as would fill anv performer with gratification. There were some very quaint and entertaining comedy conflicts between the corner men ard the interlocutor, and many fine jokes were got on in the performers verv best form. , This week’s revue presented bv JUT George Ware and his Snapshots Revue Company L entitled “Not Yet.” H l -s a merry farce, which has for a plot the efforts of a wealthy American tourist to marry a cabaret singer. The revue opens with a tableau scene, the arrival of guest* at the avistock Hotel, and this is very well arranged. Then hilarity commences. Daisv Yates, as the cabaret singer, Lilian De Vere. alwnvs wears a mask, and Carlton Chase, who takes the part of the tourist. Ned Singleton, has never seen her face. To get rid of him she disguises herself. His expectations have been unjustified and he persuades Little Hermie to marry the singer. The bogus marriage ceremony provokes the heartiest of laughter, Mr George Ward being at his best. He is ably assisted in the humour of the production by Mr Bert Le Blanc and Mr Les Warton. The revue introduces several excellent musical numbers. Mr Albert Carlisle and Miss Adelaide Taylor were outstanding. Their respective solos are “Lorraine ’ and “Hugo, while they appear together in a fine duet, “Garden of Your Heart. ’ “Sure as Yon re Born, another vocal item in which Miss Daisy Yates appeals with the chorus, is well presented, while Mr -arlton Chase, in “ByLo,” is also good, and the same may be said of Mis- Lila Marion in "Stars.” , The work of the ballet and chorus is good throughout. The finale of the revue i? splendid. The programme will be repeated this evening. , , The incidental music was well played by Fullsrs’ Orchestra, under Mr P. H. Stokes.