THE STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 86, 2 July 1927, Page 15

THE STRAND

THE INIMITABLE “SCRATCHER” Cklmly and quietly moving around the room. Suddenly the sound of Highland music floats through the air. A flick of the hand and a duster becomes a kilt, while a bonnet is produced seemingly out of the air. Another movement, and an upturned chair over the shoulders of the principal actor in the scene as he walks up and down the stage provides an almost perfect imitation of a Highland piper. The a-udience is convulsed with laughter. Again “Scratcher” Ross has scored a hit. A packed house at the Strand Theatre last evening could not get enough of this inimitable Humphrey Bishop comedian, his original find novel stunts proving irresistible mirth-provokers. Supporting “Sctatcher” was a combination of versatile artists who for almost two hours provided an entertainment in which there was not a dull moment. Turn followed turn with a rapidity that kept a le.rge audience ever wanting more. Thelma Trott and "Walter Kingsley provided one of the gems of the evening in the duet “Carmena.” Arthur Hemsley proved irresistible in his impersonations of the London society man about town. These are only a few of the artists who made up the combination. The costuming was most effective, while the ensemble work was excellent. No small part in the success of the evening was due to the sympathetic orchestra under the baton of Humphrey Bishop, while a fitting finale to the entertainment was given in an excerpt scene from “II Trovatore.” in which the whole company were seen to advantage. Powerfully dramatic in its portrayal of life in the Texas ranges, “The Ranger of the Big Pines,” featuring Helene Costello and Kenneth Harlan, provided a gripping prelude to the evening’s eritertainment.