MUSIC, MIME, MERRIMENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 492, 23 October 1928, Page 15

MUSIC, MIME, MERRIMENT

STIFFY AND MO IN “WHIRLIGIGS” Tho Whirligigs Company said it with music at St. James Theatre again last evening. This is by far the best revue provided by the Stiffy and Mo Company up to date. it has few weaknesses, mime, music and merriment, combining to form a complete entertainment. Those snappy sisters, the Terry’s are early in public favour with tho ‘‘Baby Sister Blues,” in which they appear in elegant silver wigs and pretty frock to head tho Raido Six, the highstepping ballet. After Stiffy and Mo and Dan Dunbar have demonstrated some interesting arithmetic, there is a neat skech called “Brown Lyes.” It is a triangular affair, of course, but no# so acutely angled as it might be. Erb, of tho Chaplain bun and tho fashion able trousers proves himself a capable comedian in a Joseph role, Amy Rochello being the temptress until husband Dan Dunbar arrives to find out the colour of his wife’s eyes.

Stiffy and Mo themselves go strongly this week in four or five pretty sketches which are enthusiastically received. “A Kodak” finds them in embarrassing situations with neat and petite Sadie Galo and there is some brazen-faced blackmail. “Bill Blobs” is well done and “A Rough Party” has an O. Henryish finish which brings the house down. One of the funniest things on the bill is “Keep Quiet,” which features Mo as an harassed hospital inmate, in autumn-tinted pyjamas. Betrayed to the mercies of Doc Dunbar, Sister Sadie Gale and “two rough blokes” Stiffy and Erb, poor Mo, a nervous patient in dire danger, bears up with commendable stoicism. There are some steeply inclined places in the sketch but they are all thoroLighly laughable. One of the most effective song scenes is the “Memory of A Song.” Amy Rochelle being the central figure of picturesque fashion and of excellent voice, while the Radio Six, demure little misses with the pretty shoulders of Georgian days, flutter around daintily. “Still My Baby,” by Erb and the Six goes with a click. Body is lent to the entertainment by the merit of the Charleston Symphonic Six, a jazz band with the great virtues of versatility and perfect time. They play the latest melodies including “My Cutic’s Due.” “The Birth of the Blues” is the feature item, Sadie Gale doing the explaining of the event in a gorgeous frock of colours to make the peacock’s tail a side-show. Peter Brooks the company’s tenor has a big number in “Laugh Clown, Laugh,” the heart-broken clown appearing in motley against the moaning background of the band. This goes well. The second half of the programme is filled by a musical comedy revuette “The Wharfies,” in which everybody appears in the roles of landlubbers and sailors. The hornpipe by the “boys and girls” is a merry affair. The best number is “Rubber Band,” with Amy Rochelle and the boys. Sadie Gale sings of the delights of Kentucky in

“Good Morn in’ ” and Peter Brooks and tho Radio Six tell of the life of the navy. The travesty of the popular or onccpopular Eye of the Little Yellow God” by Stiffy who explains the vengeance of the yellow pup is much to the liking of the audience. Dan Weldon makes several entries with the Radio Six and chants some jazzy numbers.