“MIDNIGHT FROLICS”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 530, 6 December 1928, Page 15

“MIDNIGHT FROLICS”

DAWE AND EDGELEY AGAIN BRIGHT REVUE AT HIS MAJESTY’S "With appropriate abandon, “The Midnight Frolics” gambolled through 22 distinct and distinctly good pranks last evening to the immense satisfaction of an audience which had trouble in fitting itself inside liis Majesty’s Theatre. One’s memory of the really rubberfaced Clem Dawe and of his partner in sportiveness, Eric Edgeley, goes back to pantomime days, when they used to tell the tale of the dog that could not eat meat, and Clem used to plead with the audience to “keep an eye on my umbrella.” Now they are back with their own bright little company,' with free rein to do what they like, how they like. The result is a satisfying eveinng’s entertainment, guaranteed to make a defeated member of Parliament forget his troubles. Be under no delusion. The “Frolics” do not start at the hour of spooks and witches. They get under way sharp at eight, and.it is a full hour to midnight when .the final frolic has fluttered on and off the boards. So, in spite of the name, it is an early party, but it is also a gay one. Opened with something sparkling by the unusually big and well-balanced orchestra, the revue gets into its frolic through a comparison of 1828 with 1925. very neatly done in a pleasing setting. Gentlemen of the old school, in gay waistcoats and blue suitings, make low obeisance to prettily modest ladies of the same era. until 'William Perryman ruins the minuet with his talk of jazz. Then the girls whirl back in brief and scintillating frocks and the lads come dancing in to the melody of “All the Boys Keep Looking Down,” for a number of very good, reasons. “Why So Sad” is the first introduction or rather reintroduction we get to Clem and Eric, this being the first intimation that Clem is something of a cave-man. Three potted plays are put over with devastating results an audience quick to see a joke. The triangular theme is strong in them and they all carry a kick in the last line. In “A Wife’s Husband” Clem is a lodger of; passionate taste in pyjamas, hut of unblemished rectitude, who gets into serious difficulties When the husband (Eric Edgeley) erturns unexpect- ! edlv to the wife, Gertie Cremer. “Atj mospherics” is an amusing radio mix / - up in which the audience, as listenersin. hears a garbled account of the lectures of a physician, an explorer and a tram driver, with surprising results. “Cook Your Goose” pictures the unfortunate predicament of a wild young husband (Les White), who suffers from the heartiness of a friend, the wife (Dorothy White) being present, strictly incognito. There are several other good sketches, including “Unnecessary Remarks” and “Fun in a Cabaret.” On the musical side of the bill there is Gregory Ivanoff, Russian fiddler, who has skill plus personality, and who proves he can play tricky music with the same ease with which he draws clear melody from his violin. Dorothy White, capable comedienne, sings a little as well. The vocal tr>j, Lilian Crisp, William Perryman and Oscar Beck, harmonise pleasantly in some good numbers, and each of them makes a welcome reappearance in a solo, Perryman tackling gamely grand opera, and getting loud applause. Phyllis Amery dances delightfully and helps the cause of jazz along. With John Robertson, she dances a difficult waltz on her toes. One of the hits of the show is the Frolics* Jazz Band, a combination with balance and ability, presided over by Ivanoff. There are not many bands which could teach it anything about effective syncopation. “The Midnight Frolics” will sport at His Majesty’s each evening. Josephine Lovett, the noted scenarist, whose original story, “Our Dancing Daughters,” is one of the most outstanding productions of the coming season, has returned to the Metro-Goldwyn-Maver studios, and is at work on a new original story. j James Horne has signed a long- [ term contract with Hal Roach to direct comedies for Metro-Goidwyn - Mayer. Mr. Horne, who is a well- ! known director, was formerly con- | neoted with Hal Roach Studios in the I same capacity.