“GINGER SNAPS”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 520, 24 November 1928, Page 15

“GINGER SNAPS”

FUN AT ST. JAMES GEORGE WARD SEASON When Roarin’ Bill from Dead Man Gulch parked his six-shooter behind the ear of Hermie Schultz, the new sheriff, the audience at St. James’ Theatre roared with laughter. It was one of the superb pieces of fooling on a programme that unleashed jollity. The sheriff was George Ward, and Roarin’ Bill Frank Moran, and together they staged one of the cleverest comedy stunts yet seen in the theatre. George Ward’s Revue Company, now in the fourth week of its season, manages to vary its programmes so subtly that complete changes are provided each week. The current offerings have the same excellent qualities of humour as those that have gone before, and there is the same beauty in the “straight” singing, and, the same airy grace in the dancing. It is an entertainment to set the much-sung blues in hollow rout, and with that done, the company has won its laurel crown. An amusing snap-shot sketch, “Mistakes Will Happen,” introduces Little Hermie to the audience, and his collaborators in fun are Patsy Hill and Charles Sherman. A musical interlude in which classical and contemporary music were delightfully fused, was provided by Kathleen Ward. Vernon Sellars and Patsy Hill. Mr. Sellars sang “Sally Horner” first, and this was followed by a "duet in which Miss Hill, as Ramona, returned the love of her wooer. In a pianoforte solo for the left-hand from “Lucia di Lammeraoor,” Mrs. Ward showed her astonishing mastery of pianoforte technique. The vest-pocket comedian, A 1 Maurice, told of the miseries of a constable’s life. Surelj r he is the funniest thing in stage policemen who has come this way for a very long time. His dialogue with Alme Valdor concerning the fatal immersion of “Our Herbert” in the harbour was side-splittingly funny. The solo singers worked ‘earnestly and successfully in the good cause. Colleen Hope, dressed in old world fashion, sang “Just Like a Butterfly,” but she . was like a lark. Patsy Hill, full of vivacity, in “No Wonder I’m Happy,” made everybody feel just like that. too. Veron Sellars, full-throated and rich of tone, was more than pleasant in “Ten Thousand Years Ago.” Get “Out West,” the second portion of the programme, gave glimpses of saloon life now, unhappily, passed America’s ken. The occasional appearances of Roarin’ Bill, and the dancing and the laughter and .the singing—it was all very good. The best jazz interlude was “Dew, Dew, Dewey Day,” led by Gus Dawson, who had the charming assistance of the dancing girls. The Charleston Symphonic Six, who have been at the theatre many weeks, still blow themselves to favour through saxophone, trombone and trumpet. A word of praise to the girls who dance delightfully and look so pleasant. The programme will be presented again this evening. “The Flying Ensign” has been selected as the final title for Ramon Novarro’s new starring vehicle, formerly known as “Gold Braid.” A number of sensational airplane stunts were photographed for this picture, which was directed for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer by George Hill. Anita Page plays the leading feminine role.