QUALITY PERFORMERS

Southland Times, Issue 19516, 16 May 1922, Page 5

QUALITY PERFORMERS

BRIGHT AND CLEVER SHOW. A clever costume comedy company in these days is not enough for succea»; it must be able to show audiences novelty, something they have not seen in other costume comedy companies. Thia is the explanation of the emphatic success scored by Southwood’s Quality Performers before a crowded house at the Municipal Theatre last evening. The company builds its entertainment very soundly on a good musical foundation, buttressed by several exceedingly attractive voices and topped off by two artists who would drive failure out of the ken of a company one-tenth as good as this one. These two artists must be men tioned first, because they are undoubtedly the stars of the organisation: Leonard Nelson and Nina Gordon. Mr Nelson has been, entertaining audiences for more years than he will care to remember, but he belongs to that exclusive order which does not know how to grow old. Mr Nelson’s work has all the qualities of good wine; age improves its boquet, the years mellow it and impart to it a quality which mere cleverness cannot give. He ia an artist in everything he does, whether it is the song about the “boys from Old New Zealand” or the complete characterisation of the recitation “Aint a man stiff?”, and his methods have the supreme merit of being unforced. The frequent demands for encores which followed his every item loft no room for doubt that he had captured the audience and was making the durance attractive. Miss Nina Gordon site at a pianoforte and gives imitations of a varied coterie of artists like Gladys Moncrieff, Ella Shields, Connie Edies, Harry Lauder and Melba. It must be admitted that her imitation of Miss Moncrieff s.iffered because it was carried out in a song from ‘The Maid of the Mountains,” a piece which has not yet been seen here, but of the Connie Edies and Harry Lauder mimicry there wae no question. In “Here Come the Married Men,” she brought Miss Edia# bark 'again to the stage, so that one felt like looking to the programme to make sure that it was not “So Long, Letty" that was being presented. Harry Lauder wae brought back to memorj' with a sure touch. In imitating Miss Moncrieff. the performer essayed a task which presented greater difficulties because there was less definite material on which to work, but in a remarkable fashion she caught the quality of the Williamson star’s voice and of some of her attractive mannerisms. By an imitation of herself in “Jest Her Way,” Miss Gordon was able to convince her audience that her art does not stop at mere mimicry. In the rank and file of the Quality Performers there were several worthy of promotion to commissioned rank, if one may use a mill tary simile. Miss Rose Fitzgerald has a beautiful contralto voice of good range and even quality. Her singing of “Canterbury Bells” in the country scene was very pleasing. Miss Hazel Fuller, a mezzo-soprano who is also a skilful actrem sang “Here’s the Love” (Monckton), but was really heard to better advantage in a finished reading of the “Pipes o’ Pan,” which was one of the best items of the enjoyable evening. Mire Beatrice Wenban is a comedienne of marked versatility of whom more should be heard in all the meanings of that phrase. Her opening number on broad linos did not prepare one for the restrained but complete picture of “I’m not Jealous” which followed it, one of the best things of its kind seen in Invercargill for many years. Mr Aneurin Morris, the tenor, took the solo “When Love is but Tender and Sweet” from Offen bach’a ‘Tales of Hoffman.” He pobserees a very pleasing voice and he sings effectively, though one would have preferred to hear him in something of a lighter order. Mr Wilfred Soott sang “Come to the Fair” H vigorously, a song well suited to his baritone voice. The two comedians, Measna Webster and Sharratt were both very successful, the latter particularly so in a hilarious interlude which included an excellent imitation of Sam Mayo. Variety was lent to the evening by the well-drpssed scene* that were staged before effective cloth* with distinctly modern characteristics. In one of these scenas, Miss Annette Lang contributed a number of pleasing dances. Tbs Jazz Band was novel but one missed the characteristic saxophone from its peculiar operations, but the turn was obviously pleasing to the audience. Mr Phil Asioli played Muin’e Mazurka as a violin solo ami followed this with au imitation of a church organ, but more satisfying was Mr William Key’s brilliant piccolo solo “Silver Birds/' an effective piece of playing which wae deservedly well received. The orchestra was a tower of strength and helped a clever company tn “put across” in theatrical parlance, one of the most attractive little shows seen here in a number of years. Tonight the Quality Performers will present another programme in which every item will be new.