ST. JAMES THEATRE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 746, 20 August 1929, Page 15

ST. JAMES THEATRE

SPLENDID SHOW DRAWS CROWDS “Better than ever” was the verdict of the huge audience that filed out of St. James Theatre last evening, after two and a-half hours of exceptional foolery by Frank O’Brian and his clever company. The show entitled j “Puppets” is one long laugh from be- j ginning to end. and the way Frank and his leading lady, Miss Janice Mart, put their nonsense across is very pleasing. Miss Hart, as a judge, with Frank O’Brian as the defendant in a breach of promise, kept the house in an uproar. As usual, the ballet, with its dancing, is worth going a long way to see. Marie Ward, who sings delightfully “Bungalow of Dreams,” and the ballet, do a very clever and novel stunt together. The settings for the ballet are excellently arranged, and show great thought on the part of the producer. Gordon Xorville sings several comic songs, which pleased immensely. Joe Hudson, Eric Masters, Mabelle Morgan, and Iris Gumbley all help to make the show go with a swing. Tiny Douglas and his varsity boys still make merry on their various instruments, arid their playing of wellknown jazz tunes is very well done. Gordon Cole’s playing of the vibrophone, the latest musical instrument, is ve.ry fine. A 1 Batchelder, at the piano, plays several solos with great finish. The present production will be shown nightly until Thursday.