McKAY’S GAIETIES

Southland Times, Issue 23437, 18 February 1938, Page 14

McKAY’S GAIETIES

VAUDEVILLE FOR CIVIC The following criticism taken from The Otago Daily Times of February 8 will give an idea of the quality of Stanley McKay's Gaieties Co., the Invercargill season opening at the Civic Theatre on Monday, February 21:— “A diversified programme of comedy, spectacle and dancing is presented by Stanley McKay’s Gaieties Company in its first presentation, “A Fantasy In Gold,” which again drew an excellent house to His Majesty’s Theatre last evening. The whole show goes with a brightness and swing from beginning to end, and the manner in which turn follows turn in rapid succession is a credit to the stage manager. The featured comedian is Mr Joe Lawman, whose bright personality helps him considerably in a heavy evening’s work. Besides carrying on with some amusing clowning throughout the programme, he also shows that he is a whistler of extraordinary skill. He is ably assisted by Mr George Corelli, Mr Cliff O’Keefe, Mr Elton Black, Miss Wyn Edgerton and Miss Alice Bennetto, who are featured in several sketches of the typical vaudeville variety, the best of them being “Mother’s Pies,” and “The Dole Diggers.” Of the large number of specialty acts, undoubtedly the most popular was the Hilo Duo. Miss Wehi Greig and Mr George Greig, whose saxophone and piano -accordion duos were particularly well received. Mr Dave James had an amusing turn, his astonishing sleight-of-hand tricks, mainly with all sizes and shapes of time pieces, and the Fredo Freres, a couple of acrobatic violinists, gave an excellent account of themselves while doing extraordinary balancing tricks. Among the dancing turns, the contortion display by Miss Heather Wright was the soul of dainty and graceful eccentricity, while the classical and acrobatic poses by Les Daimondos, clad chiefly in glittering diamond dust, were statuesquely beautiful. Miss Elvy Ferguson (violinist) and Mr Leo Trenette (tenor) also contributed to a varied programme, while the ballet did some hard work during the evening. The music was supplied by Miss May Brooke and her orchestra. The first matinee is on Wednesday, February 23. Reserves are at Beggs’, no extra being charged for booking.