IDEAS —WITH A KICK

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 813, 6 November 1929, Page 17

IDEAS —WITH A KICK

HAPPY GERALD SHOW AT ST. JAMES Happy ideas, with personality, were liberally distributed among the audience of St. James last evening, when Jim Gerald and his revufe company entered a further week of their successful season at Auckland’s commonsense theatre. The place was not overcrowded, but this fact gave room for expansion among those who enjoyed the exhilarating fare of fun produced by the leader and his clever supports. Gerald himself was always prominent, though never unnecessarily so. He was essentially a part of the show, and his appearance never forced nor overdone. From the moment in which he entered as a curate to make ? the preliminary “announcements” till he went soaring aloft on the final curtain, Gerald kept the audience simmering' in ripples of unsuppressed merriment. As Mrs. Muggins in his final sketch, “Oh. Mum,’* he was presented as an excellent dame, and his little mannerisms and characteristics which made him so popular on his last visit here were introduced now and agarin to give a touch of the old Gerald. The show would not have been complete without “Gallagher and Shean,’ ’the chestnut favourite, starring Gerald and Reg Hawthorn, both of whom were ready with some new quips and duet stuff. When Mrs. Muggins attended the Garbage Gentlemen’s Hall there was a lively time, and when she at last succumbs to the persistent proposals of -the butcher’s assistant, further ructions developed in the Muggins household.

Pep and personality permeated the whole playette. “Oh, Mum.” Essie Jennings played the spoilt daughter, and Ronnie Shand the gawky brother, and both came prominently out in dancing hits and songs, the former particularly as Emma showing a rare turn of acting in old domestic scenes dressed Tip in a different way. The vocal side of the show was nicely selected. Linda Foy, in “Dreamy Honolulu” and later in “Dream House” revealed a well-attuned voice and a fascinating manner. Mercia Elliott, with the “Big City Blues” and “My Pet.” and Lily Coburn, with “Is There Anything Wrong in That?” and “Oh, Doris,” also showed considerable spark among the fast-moving events. Letty Crayton, too, took her place among the vocalists and gave “Trucky Lane” and “Eliza Rolls Her Eyes.” She could roll ’em, too! Olivette, the acrobatic dancer, is one of the cleverest little personalities seen for some time on the boards at this theatre. Her novelty turns and almost incredible contortionist dancing produced insistent calls for more. Reg Hawthorn, Tom Dale and Dan Weldon were worthy supports in comedy and in song, while Howard iHall made a brisk insurance agent—always wanting to take things down. A word about the Twinklers. If it were not for the Twinklers there would be a very large gap indeed in the Gerald Revue. They are always on the spot, and always with something novel in steps and terpsicorian grace. The frocking is exceptionally fine—new and original dressing- at every appearance—while the scenery lias been prepared with a cleverness seldom excelled in higher-priced shows. In Hawaii particularly the rippling water in the silvered moonlight gav*e atmosphere and charm to the palm beach scene. This week’s Gerald is good. Little more need be said, except that it is better, if anything, than his previous best. i