VAUDEVILLE STARS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26473, 29 May 1947, Page 4

VAUDEVILLE STARS

FAMOUS ENGLISH ARTISTS Elsie and Doris Waters (“ Gert ” and “Daisy” of the radio), Arthur Askey, Sid Fields and George Formby are among the British celebrity performers who are likely to be seen in Australia and New Zealand. A tour by Tommy Trinder has already been arranged. One of the difficulties that had to be surmounted in many of the New Zealand theatres, said Mr W. H. Chrisp, touring manager of the Tivoli Theatre Company, shortly to be seen in Dunedin, was the problem of lighting for vaudeville presentations. Many of them had been erected solely for cinema productions. “ However. this will be surmounted, as it has already been done in some cases,” he said. In addition, the Tivoli management had already built up stocks for the dressing of productions, and was now considering the establishment of a permanent ballet and orchestra for its New Zealand circuit. The present company, for example, travelled with 94 tons of scenery and .1000 frocks. “ We are doing our part by bringing to this country the best that is procurable,” said Mr Chrisp, “ and we feel that the response will be the same here as in Australia. In all stage- work the aspect of personal contact is all-important. That' is why we want New Zealanders to see and hear the stars in person.”