“REVEILLE” AGAIN

Taranaki Daily News, 4 September 1935, Page 7

“REVEILLE” AGAIN

NEW PLYMOUTH’S OWN REVUE. DANCE AND SONG SUCCESSES. A scintillating show of colour, vivacity and smoothly flowing stage management, "Reveille,” New Plymouth’s own revue, achieved its second success last night. From 8 until 10.45 a constant succession of song and dance numbers, sketches, ballet numbers and speciality items kept a large audience absorbed and the programme was so arranged that no sooner had one ovation ceased than the next item was in full swing. Although the whole programme was pleasing there were some numbers that rose to a higher pitch. Leading them all was Norma McCartney, even tinier than Shirley Temple but just as successful in her appeal. Her tap-dance was splendid with a simultaneous ballet" as a background but she was just as perfect in her solo encore—the only one of the evening. Mrs. Quay’s dancing had personality and charm well above the average. Her “aerial creation" with Mr. W. Lints in the excellently conceived night club scene was a masterpiece of rhythm and grace and the Spanish silhouette was full of fire and action. Elwyn Riley’s graceful movements were in an ideal setting in "Flirtation,” an imaginative “double-personality” number. The ballets all showed the result of weeks of patient training and had the pleasing effect of excellent co-ordina-tion. Probably the best was the futurist ballet, but Miss Elva Craw Shaw and the “College Rhythm” girls caught the modern spirit in a different style. Of the soloists, it was difficult to select an outstanding performer, but for charm and spontaneity Miss Fee Ever-Swin-dellls “Roll Along Covered Waggon” had appeal. Mr. L. Kerr’s capable tenor voice was heard in more than one number and Miss G. Greenwood was an excellent artist.

For originality the ‘Scarecrow" ballet, with its whimsicality and orchestral effects was outstanding and the mirror ballet was a close second. The comic relief was provided by several sketches in which Mrs. BirchJohnston, and Messrs. G. Ovenden and R. Richards made the fun flow along merrily. However excellent the standard of the performance it could not have achieved such success had it not been for the splendid stage and lights management. The organisation was first class and intervals lasted seconds only. "Reveille” will continue to-night, tomorrow and Friday nights, the programme being altered for each performance with, however, the retention of the numbers that have made the greatest appeal.