“THE RILEY SHOW”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26980, 15 January 1949, Page 8

“THE RILEY SHOW”

VAUDEVILLE AT ST. JAMES DIVERSIFIED ENTERTAINMENT Many in the audience at the St. James Theatre last night for the opening of “The Riley Show," a New Zealand vaudeville group presented by Kerridge-Odeon, must have remembered the palmy days of the same theatre, when the best “ flesh and blood ” shows of the day came to Dunedin. On the other hand there must have been many to whom vaudeville was unaccustomed entertainment, but who were eager for a taste of the popular old fare. “ The Riley Show ” offers the usual round of vaudeville entertainment with nothing new. There are instrumental items, songs, dance turns, acrobatics, an effective club swinging act, whistling and humour. The last mentioned department of the show is mainly in the hands of Jack Riley, who appears in a gafb reminiscent of George Wallace’s days. Several of his sallies brought gusts of laughter, chiefly from the feminine part of the audience, but there was no sustained merriment. The programme at times did not synchronise with the announcements of the items from the stage, and it was difficult to decide the identity of some of the performers until the show was well advanced. Sylvia Pointer was a good foil for Riley in the humorous sketches, and Art D’Arcy kept the audience amused with his impersonation of a bridesmaid who was thwarted in her matrimonial ambitions- Mervin Smith produced lighted cigarettes and playing cards from various parts of his person. Kay Cargill gave some quite clever imitations of popular singers, and Nola Blackburn did some rather astonishing things with her body, besides a tap routine. Pauline Hastie’s voice was pleasant, and Pat Johns, styled as the lyric tenor, sang the songs which are always chosen By popular tenors. Ngaire Butler’s whistling items were well done. On the instrumental side, Cyril Pascoe left his seat in the orchestra to show his adeptness with the violin. He chose well-known light classics which were well received by the audience. Bill Bailey played two trumpet solos and Vic Riley played a piano number in an attractive stage setting. “ The Electric Girl,” a novelty act presented by Joan Bullen, was effective. In a darkened house she described intricate patterns with lighted clubs. All the members of the fourpiece orchestra, except the drummer, took part in the show. “ The Riley Show ” will continue its season to-day with a matinee and an evening performance.