FROLICS RETURN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 664, 16 May 1929, Page 14

FROLICS RETURN

SEASON AT HIS MAJESTY’S BURLESQUE AND EXCELLENT FUN There is no denying the popularity of the Midnight Frolic Company, which returned to His Majesty’s Theatre last evening complete with a new set of amusing sketches, and a programme generous enough to suit the most fastidious theatregoex*. One of the reasons for the amazing success of this company is its teamwork, and the zest with which every performer plays his or her part. There is not a moment lost during the whole evening, and the Edgley-Dawe-Magnet-White combination appears in almost everything. Miss Mona Magnet’s reappearance in Auckland is the most important event of this return season, and her ability to play both straight and comic roles, and to sing and dance, has strengthened the Frolics considerably. She is best in comedy work, sings syncopated songs with lilting rhythm, and dances neatly and gracefully. The followers of Mr. Clem Da we and Mr. Eric Edgley are like the snowball—growing with every successive visit. Even in their least amusing moments they are sure of a burst of appreciation which would bring tears of joy to the most hardened performer. But then, they deserve it. As broad comedians, they have few equals, and they have no hesitation in attempting every and any part. Without letting up for a moment, Mr. Dawe appeared during the evening as a member of a suicide club, a bridegroom, a favoured boarder, a schoolboy, a Scottish dancer, a saxophone player, a forlorn pierrot, a “child” of six or thereabouts, the conductor of an operatic club, and a man with more wives than was good for him. Mr. Edgley is almost as prolific. “Honeymoon—Thirty-five Years Ago, and To-day,” is the most amusing sketch on a programme which lasted from eight o’clock until eleven. Miss Magnet, as a bride of the Victorian age; Mr. Dawe, as the harassed bridegroom; and Miss Dorothy White, as an embarrassingly talkative landlady, played the little comedy with a maximum of effect. Never has such a collection of weird bedroom furniture adorned any stage. The burlesque cantata, sung by the “Waihooke Operatic Society,” was an admirable piece of nonsense. “Horsey, Keep Your Tail Up,” was treated as grand opera, and despite the burlesque, was splendidly sung. Edgley and Dawe, as a pair of simultaneous Scottish dancers, complete in kilts and elastic-sided boots, were more acrobatic than any Scot is ever likely to be. Their burlesque work, combined with neat and acrobatic stepping, was again excellent. Another sketch, “A Stroke of Luck,” with Mr. Dawe as the wickedest-looking boarder we have ever seen, and Miss Dorothy White as an inquisitive visitor, with a nose for scandal, has a laugh in every line. Miss White frolicked in an oldfashioned nightdress disguised as a Grecian robe, elastic-sided boots (the company seems to have a liking for this kind of footwear), and a harp, and gave us some of the most amusing moments of the evening. She is a comedienne with a delightful sense of the burlesque, and dances with the speed of a busy centipede. “Fun in Toyland,” and “The School-

master,” were rather too noisy to be amusing, but there were numberless other frolics. The jazz band numbers, with Mr. Gregory Ivanoff wielding his violin bow as a baton, and occasionally toying with his violin, were excellently done. Mr. William Ferryman sang a variety of songs in his pleasant tenor voice, and his admirers were satisfied. Miss Gertie Cremer appeared in a number of sketches, and helped the fun along. The other members of the company worked their hardest in making the evening a cheerful and entertaining one.

The Midnight Frolics will be in residence at His Majesty’s for a season of eight merry nights.