MASTER OF HIS ART

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 641, 18 April 1929, Page 15

MASTER OF HIS ART

SIR HARRY LAUDER’S RETURN ENTERTAINING VAUDEVILLE There is no need for Sir Harry Lauder to talk of farewell tours —if last evening’s audience at His Majesty’s Theatre was any criterion. They liked him —liked him immensely. The diminutive Scottish comedian, a little broader perhaps than on liis last visit, seemed to be exuding enthusiasm. There was an infectious joy in every intonation of those inimitable songs which are essentially Lauder. Tie gambolled and skipped and swaggered to the vast enjoyment of a house of admirers, and even the most unbiased had to admit that Sir Harry Lauder was a master of his art. His technique is perfect and he still has the magic to persuade an audience to join with him in singing his songs. Sir Harry’s repertory is -growing with his years, and improving with every succeeding “farewell” visit. He has never done anything more amusing than “I’ve Just Got Off the Chain,” which convulsed the house last evening. “When I Meet Mackay” and “Flower of the Heather” were excellently done, and “The Waggle of Kilt” and “There’s Somebody Waiting For Me” retained all their old charm for followers of the little man’s own particular line of humour. The company which the E. J. Carrol management has sent to support Sir Harry is sufficiently varied to suit all tastes. Mr. Rupert Hazell’s stage curate is a droll fellow, even if we have heard much of the “business” on former occasions. With his fair-haired partner, Miss Elsie May, he completely thawed the house. Mr.'Hazell makes his points without unnecessary labour, and is refreshingly incisive with his delivery. Miss Day possesses a good singing voice. The enthusiasm which greeted “A (Cottage Small” proves that a vaudevill eartist need never bother about the virtue of new songs. This entertaining couple concluded a bright turn with one of those snappy .duets which our American friends would tell us has “a kick in every line.” “Tiki” Carpenter provided the surprise of the evening. A slim and agile figure, frocked in a decorative array of filmy laces and feathers, pieretted with girlish grace in a variety of dances —from a vigorous Hungarian measure to something demure and Victorian. Mr. Carpenter is one of the best female impersonators it lias been our lot to see. Fortunately he did not disclose the secret by attempting to sing. The Fredo Brothers combine violin playing with acrobatics in the most astonishing manner, Brother No. 1 lies on his back poising Brother No. 2 in the air in every conceivable attitude; they turn somersaults and flips and prance about like a couple of spring lambs, all the while extracting melody from their instruments. Don Julian’s patter is almost as amusing as his lightning cartoons. Willi a few adroit strokes he depicted a multitude of characters, from mothers-in-law, to sheiks in Oxford bags, and expensive looking flappers. A smart turn this. Miss Beryl Wentworth seemed to spend most of her time singing at the orchestra, but she allowed all the audience to hear her in “Sonny Boy,” an example of the advance civilisation lias made in sentimental songs. Mr. Haydn Beck wielded a capable baton in the orchestral well, and provided excellent accompaniment. Sir Harry Lauder and his company will appear at His Majesty’s Theatre for an extended season.