BRILLIANT REVUE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23453, 18 March 1938, Page 10

BRILLIANT REVUE

CONNORS'AND PAUL COMPANY LAVISH AND ENTERTAINING PROGRAMME Vaudeville entertainment ’ well in accordance with the best traditions is presented by the Connors and Paul Company in “Hoity_ Toity,’’ which commenced a season in His Majesty s Theatre last night. Queeme Paul and Mike Connors have visited Dunedin previously, and they won many admirers on that occasion, but this tune, with a completely new company, which includes .some really outstanding specialty artists, they will undoubtedly add to their reputation. Dunedin has been treated to some quality vaudeville In the past year, and audiences are accordingly becoming more exacting in their demands, but there was no doubt that last night’s audience was more than satisfied. The show is produced lavishly, and the programme covers a wide range of humour, music, and artistry. Mike Connors and Queenie Paul work hard and successfully to keep the show moving at a brisk pace, and Syd. Beck is equal to the demand for comedy and burlesque. He has a hearty and brisk style, and his humour depends on much more than sartorial eccentricity. The curtain rises on a song scena by the whole company, with ‘ Sun Kissed Beauties,” ballet girls, well to the fore. Mike McCormack, a clever tap dancer, then took the stage. . His humour is in his toes, and his impersonations were neatly done. ‘ Blame the Weather.” presented Peggy Kerr. Cccn Scott. Alma Aldous, and Syd. Beck in a delightful sketch which had sufficient truth in it to give it additional point. A brilliant piece of grotesque contortionist dancing was then ffiven by Davendo. Comedy again held the stage, with Syd. Beck, Cecil Scott, and Alma Aldous in a characteristic skit, and an outstanding ballet, “A Banquet of Posies,” followed, with Queenie Paul singing the theme song A Flower From an Old Bouquet. Ihe setting and costuming in this were particularly effective, and a colourful ensemble was gradually built up. "Three in One,” an ingenious sketch on novel lines, once more gave Syd Beck some excellent opportunities. He was supported by Cecil Scott and others, Peggy Kerr was heard .in vocal numbers; some more tap dancing b • Mike McCormack followed, and then Syd, Beck, with Mike Connors as his unfortunate butt entertained the audience with quips, cross talk, and knock-aboUt comedy. Gipsy frivolities. “The Tambourine Girls/’ was another spectacular ballet, and the first half of the programme concluded with what was one of the finest t in’ns of the evening—the Seven Flying Elmais. This troupe of young ladies gave an exhibition of acrobatics in a manner which is seldom equalled in this pan of the world. , . . ... The opening scene of the second nan, 1 Cafe Montmartre,” was the most effective ensemble of the company. Commencing with a characteristic can-can dance, it was followed by an Apache dance and a tableau Davendo and Paulette staged the Apache dance, which was of a more th-n striking and vigorous nature, and Syd Beck was in his element impersonating an Indian Army captain entertaining the aristocracy. The duets by Mke Connors and Queenie Paul recalled pleasant memories of their previous visit: Syd Beck with support from Cecil Scott and others, distinguished himself in the sketch that followed, and then came one of the most popular turns of the evening, the Four K’s ” girl instrumentalists, who were encored with great enthusiasm. Another spectacular item was “ Moonlight Phantasy.” In which the ballet, showing to its best advantage, with Miss Paul singing, introduced Paulette in her celebrated fan dance. The scene was flawlessly produced, and the dance was another of the outstanding solo turns of the programme. Another sketch, with Syd Beck appearing as a Chinese with incongruous effect, followed, and the programme conclud~d with a novelty item with Moran and Weiser doing astonishing tricks with hats and clubs Here the audience was allowed to participate and was put in high good humour with a little bantering from the stage. The orchestra. led by Em Beacham, greatly assisted the spirit of the dancing aiid ballets by its rhythmic and tuneful accompaniments. “Hoity Toity” will be presented again to-night.