“JOY GERMS” AT KING’S

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18551, 10 November 1934, Page 3

“JOY GERMS” AT KING’S

A NIGHT OF HILARITY AUDIENCE JOINS IN WELL Jt is not long since the “Joy Germs” combination, comprising Messrs. Albert Russell and Reg. Morgan, made its-initial appearance at the King’s Theatre, and registered an outstanding success during tin interlude of' song and patter which rivalled anything previously heard in a local house of entertainment. That the memory of that success was warmly cherished by those who were fortunate enough to take part in it as members of the audience, was amply proved last evening, 'when Messrs Russell and Morgan made their return appearance an even more remarkable feature of the King’s programme. The theatre was crowded, and the hilarity provoked by the entertainers was unstinted, the whole of the seeorid half of the evening session being given tip to the exercises of the “Joy Germs,” and the audience joining wholeheartedly in the singing of choruses, and the making of “whoopee” generally. It has been said that a Gisborne audience is the hardest to move from the -ordinary tenor of its way. Messrs Russell and Morgan, having broken the ice throughly on their previous visit, had little ’difficulty in getting last night's gathering at the theatre into its most receptive mood. After that had been achieved, the only question was as to how long the 'artists were prepared to go on with their show. From an infinitely varied repertoire, they produced items to suit every taste, for though the turn was mainly humorous, and indeed burlesque, in character, there were many items- which touched another chord.

The singing of sentimental songs by Air Morgan was not less popular than the excellent- work of Mr Russell, in dialogue, anecdote, and general patter, with which he introduced the various songs. For an hour and alialf, the audience was entirely in the hands of the entertainers, who registered what emotions they chose, and in every mood found their friends “out front” fully responsive.

'lncluded in the repertoire of Messrs. Russell and Morgan weer numerous old favorites, such as “Pack Up Your Troubles” and “Tipperary,” which had an extremely warm reception. “Dfiisv,” the song of the South African War period, and others almost as did, wore just as popular, and with many others provided the foundation for community singing with variations. The audience willingly fell in with the suggestions of Mr Russell, and sang, in clionis, in sections, one lino at a time, and in competition. Mr Morgan, who was formerly well known to radio listeners as ‘‘Uncle R(ur ” sang it number of delightful songs, his splendid tenor voice being heard to the best- advantage in “Toll Me To-night,” “Little Duch Mill,’ “Last- Round Up,” “Valley of the Moon,” “Old Father Thames,” and others. Every number was warmly encored, and the conclusion of the turn was signalised hv rapturous applause for Messrs. Russell and Morgan. A concert in aid of the -Mayor’s relief fund for distressed Gisborne families will ho staged by Messrs. Russell and Morgan to-morrow evening at the King’s, when, it is anticipated, there will ho another big gathering of admirers of the talented entertainers. . ..