HUMPHREY BISHOP

Southland Times, Issue 20146, 5 April 1927, Page 8

HUMPHREY BISHOP

HEIGHT BURLESQUE EXCELLENT VARIETY ENTERTAINMENT AN EVENING’S HILARIOUS LAUGHTER There is little truth in the assertion that “wise men laugh but rarely” or, if there is, there were no u’ise people at the Municipal Theatre last evening, which, of course, is not at all as complimentary an inference to draw’ concerning the appearance of the Humphrey Bishop Company as the performance given merits. Its nature was such that a large audience was constantly thrown into the throes of irrepressible laughter, which fact, coupled with the enthusiastic approbation meted out to each turn, was all-sufficient in demonstrating the unqualified success gained by the performers. In lasting as it did the best part of three hours the revue—or its promoters—had to guard against the pitfall of boring the audience, a feat which was accomplished with signal success. The company was apparently keenly “alive” to the fact that brightness and vivacity were prime essentials in its field of endeavour, and while it could not be said that in pursuing this objective it departed from orthodox lines, it nevertheless saw’ to it that there was nothing lacking in that respect. The comedy element naturally predominated, but there was a nice blending of less humorous numbers which gave the “balance” so desirable in entertainments of the variety order. Humphrey Bishop has obviously organised a company which can claim as its chief attraction vocal ability of more than average standard, this being especially the case where the male members are concerned. Consequently items which would otherwise have lacked merit were imbued with qualities which draw unqualified approval. Then the dancing, which formed no inconsiderable part of the night’s gaiety, was an altogether praiseworthy feature while the frocking was always a dominant adjunct to scenes of outstanding brightness. Dealing with the vocal section of the entertainment first, as constituting the most popular phase of the night’s enjoyment, pride of place must be given to Walter Kingsley, who possesses a baritone voice of unusually fine quality. His singing of “A Cottage Small” won him immediate favour, whilst he was even more successful in "The Stoker,” though his is a voice which is worthy of bettec fare than “lhe Prisoner's Song,” which followed as a double encore. In addition he appeared in several ensemble numbers with the other members of the company, principal of which were the song scena "Nile Nights” and the feature “Valencia.” Next in order of merit was Fred Webber, who, in addition to establishing himself as a tenor singer of pleasing worth, demonstrated a remarkable versatility as a pianist, a cornetlst, and last, but not least, a dancer. With Dorothy Ryder he put over a very acceptable act featuring “No Wonder,” and “Caroline,” but his most appealing item was "Sleeffy Time Gal.” The outstanding versatility of the company was perhaps most pointedly marked in the finale of the first half, an ensemble rendition of “The Anvil Chorus” and the Miserere scene (both from Il Trovatore'. The tenor part in the latter was effectively taken by Fred Webber and the soprano part by Miss Thelma Trott, both of whom were deservedly applauded at

its conclusion. John Montford, described as “the whispering tenor" was hardly true to type, but was nevertheless most successful in his rendition of “My Irish Home Sweet Home,” and a whimsical number "Have You Forgotten Yvonne?” Th? ragtime quintette, in which Mr Humphrey Bishop himself appeared, scored a popular success with "Ha'. Ha!” Sitting On Top of the World,” and “Chick, Chick, Chicken,” especially when they gave the lyric of the last to the tune of the “Lost Chord.” At times it seemed that they were a little ambitious in attempting harmonics without the support of the piano, but the turn was nevertheless thoroughly appreciated. Elaine Maye was puzzled to know “Why the Johnnies Followed Her Everywhere”— she was too modest to realise of course—and Evadne Royle and Charles Albert made a good job of the burlesque, “Typing” in which the latter enlisted his partner’s assistance in composing a love letter—with rather disconcerting results. Albert as “the irrepressible dame” also gave the female members of the audience food for reflection with “her” talks about men. The broad comedy was supplied entirely by “Scratcher” (Georgei Ross who drew laughter from the audience with the ease of the born comedian. Certainly one or two of his stock-in-trade lacked the stamp of originality, but that he scored as he did with them reflected all the more creditably for him. After hearing him play the piano in all sorts of ludicrous positions one felt that it would have been worth while hearing him play as would “the professional genius” whom he so excellently took off at one period, for his brief interludes, though sandwiched around with excellent idiosyncrasies showed that he was a pianist of no mean ability. Then he also demonstrated that he had a marvellous pair of lungs when he essayed to portray the drunken trombonist and his rendition on the “to and fro” as he called it was certainly lusty if not exactly musical. The principal, Mr Humphrey Bishop, was mainly concerned with conducting the orchestra, though he certainly contrived to introduce the individual members of his company in a unique way. In the orchestra the performers had a band of capable helpers but the occupants of the pit were equally successful when giving the overtures. In the first, which opened with the initial bars of von Suppe’s “Poet and Peasant.” and continued through a “switch” of more modern airs, the work of Frank Egan was especially worthy of mention. As a violinist he was perhaps a little too vigorous to be soulful, but he nevertheless brought the house down with his spirited execution and mainly as the result of his efforts the overture proved to be of that nature which creates the atmosphere of expectancy so essential to the favourable reception of the programme to follow. The Humphrey Bishop Company appears again this evening when a complete change nf programme is promised.