THE MARCUS SHOW

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23223, 22 June 1937, Page 6

THE MARCUS SHOW

SPECTACULAR AMERICAN REVUE The artistry of stagecraft and the science of theatrical lighting were never more strikingly illustrated on the boards of His Majesty’s Theatre than they are by the Marcus Show, the non-stop American revue which attracted another large and enthusiastic audience last evening. Variety entertainment of the kind is not new to Dunedin theatregoers, but the manner of its presentation is entirely novel and refreshing. A competent company, comprising a team of talented performers rather than one or two outstanding stars, whirls its way through a programme that consists of 32 acts with such speed and smoothness that the evening develops into a long succession of bewildering impressions that culminate in a general feeling of satisfaction and delight. Nothing in the performance, however, surprises and pleases mbre than the lavishness of its mounting, which frequently approximates to the extravagance of the modern screen. The lighting also is a triumph of imaginative display, enhancing the spectacular effects obtained by picturesque costuming and draping and transforming the stage into a fairyland of soft and alluring hues. The comedy work, like the whole of the show, is all fast and furious, with Mr Ben M'Atee leading an amusing bunch of supporting players through a variety of skits and interludes which fill up all the gaps between the more elaborate ensembles and displays. Mr George Schreck, Mr Sparkey Haye, Mr Leon Miller, Mr Harold Boyd, Mr Bobby Dyer and Miss Dottie Coudy all find plenty of humour in their parts, and Senorita Sofia Alvarez, Miss Lillian M‘Coy, Miss Dorothy Oliver, Miss Sharon de Vries, Mr Bob White, Mr Lee Mason take most of the vocal burden on their shoulders and carry it to the satisfaction of everybody. The Clymas Troupe, the Dancing Bernays, fascinating little Ha Cha San, Mr A 1 Ricker and Miss de Vries provide a varied display of the terpsichorean art, dramatic, eccentric, acrobatic and classic. Mr Fid Gordon with his violin and Mr Les Sechrist with his piano-accordion are responsible for excellent turns, and there is always enthusiastic applause for the Six Tossing Belfords, the Shannon Trio, Mr Harold Boyd’s Jigsaws and the Hinton Sisters and Masson for their impressive specialty acts. The costuming and dancing of the ballets, including the Marcus Peaches and the Miller Dancers, are among the best features of the programme, these accomplished young artists distinguishing themselves in numerous display ensembles, such as “Black and White Fantasy, Under the Andalusian Moon,” Fantasie Parisienne," “Les Coqueues des Femmes,” “ Birdland, Palais d’Argent” and “The Wedding of an Acrobat.” The current _ programme will be repeated nightly this week, with a matinee performance on Saturday, and there will be a complete change of programme on Monday night.