POPULAR VAUDEVILLE

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 77, Issue 6566, 15 September 1948, Page 6

POPULAR VAUDEVILLE

PRESENTATION BY VISITING ARTISTS Playing to a large and receptive audience in the Empire Theatre last evening the artists in the George Tollerton Variety Show presented entertainment of particularly high popular variety- The dominating feature of the whole performance of this small troupe, lay in the fact that, despite the continuous flow of laughter occasioned by the majority of items, never once did the humour offered pass beyond the classification of good family entertainment. Described on the programme as Australia’s greatest ventriloquist, Royston certainly lived up to his reputation. His clever manipulating of his two dummies drew much applause from the audience. Lou Cottam, the comedian, had a big part in the programme, and was soon a warm favourite. He was ably assisted by Olga Kay, who also contributed a bracket of novelty songs. Ever-popular Nellie Kolle, male impersonator, delighted with her songs and pianoforte items. George Tollerton, who was compere of the programme, gave several outstanding sleight of hand acts and his “Inexhaustible Beer Barrel” proved popular with those patrons who shared in the circulation of its benefits. Well received were the two items of Joan Reed, whose distinctive talents as a dancer were evidenced with her presentation of a tap dance and the Highland Fling. Throughout the entire performance, Jack Carleton proved himself a master accompanist at the piano and much credit for the continuity of the show was due to his efforts.

From the generosity of the applause that marked the final fall of the curtain on the evening’s performance, George Tollerton will no doubt be assured that a warm welcome will await the variety show on its return to Te Awamutu some time during the course of next year.