PRINCESS THEATRE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20522, 25 September 1928, Page 13

PRINCESS THEATRE.

Quip and jest, laughter and song, dancing, and nonsense, with the usual sartorial and acrobatic variety—these are the ingredients that have been kneaded by hands well trained into a programme of entertainment and diversion at the Princess Theatre. George Ward and his New Revue Company presented another new programme to an appreciative house last night, and acquitted themselves in the same diverting and interesting style that has enabled to secure and hold the good graces of Fullers’ patrons for a double season. The troupe comprises so many players with such varied accomplishments that all sections of the audience find plenty to amuse and entertain them. The performance last night was characterised by a welcome return to the bill of fare that for years enjoyed uninterrupted popularity—the vaudeville-revue style of programme. Months ago it was discarded for tabloid items and turns, but now. as a result of urgent requests, the first half of the evening is devoted to a series of vaudeville, and the second half is taken up with a properly constituted revue, with or without plot, but full of humour and gaiety. The popularity of the old fashion was unmistakably demonstrated last night, when the audience was treated to an evening's fun that had not a dull minute from beginning to end. With a great flourish of music and colour and song the opening ensemble was disposed of by the entire company, Miss Jean Keith, Mr Charles Sherman, and Mr Al Maurice in turn supplying solo items. Miss Colleen Hope has many friends at the Theatre, and when she sang “ Carmcna ” she made many more. In all her appearances she received a generous round of applause, all of which she thoroughly deserved. The burden of the comedy work in both parts of the programme is carried bv two players—George Ward (Little Hermie) and the droll little English funny man, Mr A 1 Maurice. Their talents do not mix. but therein lies the chief appeal of their turns. The one is an excellent foil for the other, and when they get together they provoke a measure of applause and laughter that is not all earned, because so much of their humour . and buffoonery is unconscious. They are stiff facial muscles that cannot relax into the broadest of grins when these two are in form. Mr Maurice has an originality and finesse that distinguish him, and none of his turns is a bad one. As a detective Hermie creates a lot of fun, and as the misused constable on the down-town beat Mr Maurice is irresistible. He has a racy and breezy way of narrating his experiences that colours otherwise milk and watery hits, and he fully realises the value of not saying too much. Some of his best moments are when he practices hia habit of mumming. His dumbshows are great fun. Even when lett to his own devices, a little man on a big stage all alone, he takes his audience by storm, and finishes up each evening one of the favourites of the programme. The first half of the entertainment provides every one with a chance to show their mettle. The ballet, minus stockings all the time, has plenty to do providing the acrobatic accompaniment for Miss Jean Keith, Miss Aime Valdor, and Mr Gus Dawson, in their renderings of the latest song hits. A popular turn, and one that to many in the audience was all too short, was the appearance of Dave Meredith and his Melody Five, first with Mies Kathleen Ward and Miss Keith and later on their own. Miss Keith has a delightful voice that finds a sympathetic accompanist vocally and instrumental!;/ in Miss Ward. The pair made a distinct impression' last night. The seemingly endless repertoire of the orchestral combination was thoroughly sampled, such Items as “ Shanghai Dream Man,” “ She’s Cot It,” “My Mother's Lullaby” (with pretty Miss Valdor singing). “Drifting and Dreaming.” and “ Put Your Arms Where They Belong,” being greeted enthusiastically. . . The revue was entitled Hermie s Vacation,” and from start to finish was nothing but a muddle of mendacity. Two men spent their whole time trying to manufacture impromptu stories about a holiday that was ostensibly spent in the mountains, but which was in reality spent at Coney Island where the inconvenient marital ties were for the time forgotten, or at least ignored. Charles Sherman and Little Hermie were prominent in the cast, the former filling his customaryrole’of foil to the little man in excellent style. Al Maurice makes periodical appearances and never leaves the stage without a round of applause. Mjss Qurley Sherwood, as the wife who is lied to and decieved so shamefully, puts plenty of vim. into her part, and takes an important part in the cleverly humorous dialogue of the piece. Miss Alme Valdor. as an actress friend of the husband from Coney Island, precipitates some amusingly embarrassing scenes, and fills her part well. In the various musical and dancing numbers with which the revue is interspersed she demonstrates her remarkable ability as an acrobatic dancer. Her fast-moving feet and pleasing voice make her a firm favourite. The musical numbers include: “Oh Boy. How Danny Can Dance,” “ Cobwebs Off the Moon ” (Miss Keith and the ballet), “Hello, Swannee” (Dell Barnes and Peggy Sharp), "Broken-hearted” (Miss Colleen Hope and the Balletl. “ Dervish Onestep ” (Miss Keith and Mr G. Dawson), “ Cock-a-doodle ” (Alme Valdor and the Ballet), Deed I Do” (an ensemble), and a Grand Finale, which provided a fitting finish to an excellent programme, which will be repeated nightly this week.