ANOTHER BRIGHT SHOW

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 732, 3 August 1929, Page 14

ANOTHER BRIGHT SHOW

FRANK O’BRJAN’S POPULAR REVUE SEVENTH CHANGE More than six weeks have now elapsed since Mrs. O’Brian’s boy Frank first took the audience at St. James into his confidence in regard to the domestic relationships of the first and only inhabitants of the Garden of Eden. Success greeted the company’s first performance, and its popularity with the public has progressed with every change of programme presented. Last evening saw the seventh change, and another bright, entertaining and quick-action revue resulted. The popularity of the combination was evidenced from the outset by the applause with which favourite members of the company were greeted by an audience that appeared to be on very familiar terms with the personnel of tlio organisation, a particularly large measure being reserved for those popular stars, Frank O’Brian and Janice Hart. From the opening invitation to “Come to the Show” the pidce runs merrily along at a rapid pace. Number follows number in quick succession and with a wealth of variety at the disposal of Mr. O’Brian’s fertile imagination one is kept in that pleasant state of constant anticipation that passes away an evening all too quickly. The show cannot very well be accused of being highbrow, but neither is it low comedy. For the most part clever fooling prevails, such as enjoyed in the two sketches, “Listening Out” and “The Eternal Triangle from Another Angle.” Both were excellent burlesques in which Mr. O’Brian was seen at his best. The comedian’s trials and tribulations as a member of the force situated on a particularly dangerous beat pleased the audience immensely, likewise his description in song and dance of the certain exploits of “Forty-seven Ginger Headed Sailors.” Even when Mr. O’Brian skates over thin ice he rarely causes apprehension, thanks to his remarkable dexterity. Besides assisting the comedian in his principal numbers. Miss Janice Hart also sang and danced in her usual entertaining style. Personality and a flair for originality enables her to make spmetimes commonplace numbers really good. In “Mandy” and in songs at the piano with that talented accompanist and soloist, A 1 Batcheleder, Miss Hart was seen at her best. Good supporting artists are Mabelle Morgan who, in addition to straight songs and comics, is an accomplished sketch artist, Joe Hudson, the heavy lead and foil to the comedian, Eric Masters and winsome Marie Ward, who supply the necessary quota of sentiment, and Iris Gumbley, who dances and sings with the ballet for a background. Then there is the ballet and the Varsity Boys. Than the Reveller’s ballet nothing better has been seen in Auckland in a show of this kind for some considerable time. It is a. particularly well balanced team and the members individually possess a variety of talent. From vigorous Russian dances and hornpipes to the more classic work of the “Ballet of Roses,” the ballet danced its way brightly through a very bright show. Under the direction of Tiny Douglas, the Varsity Boys provided several melodious and much appreciated items. Their speciality this week is the Blue Hungarian Band which, under the baton of Mr. Frank O’Brian, provides some really weird and wonderful music. Comedians as well as accomplished musicians, they provide still more variety to a very enjoyable and particularly well produced show.