THEATRE ROYAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 19 November 1924, Page 7

THEATRE ROYAL.

J. C. WILLIAMSON'S ENTERTAINERS.

Comedy predominates in the bill of fare presenred beiore a large and appreciative liouse on tne Theatre Royal last evening by the J. O. Williamson entertainers. The programme is most acceptably well-balanced and the general excellence of the succeeding turns worked up to a crescendo of hign comedy witli the appearance of Harry Weldon, yvho is billed as a star comedian. Nevertheless there was no Jack of versatility, and sandwiched with spasms of fine comedy, were some high-class original and clever performances." The entertainers are headed by Harry Weldon, wiio is justly regarded as being one of the leading music-hall I comedians in England, and there is ail | atmosphere about his work that no other comedian lias been ab'Je to crcyite. There is something irresistible about him, and humour seems to exude from him. Then, again, his methods are original. After his introductory “S’No Use” he settles clown to business. His first number was a song, “Back to Alabama.” 1 Next ho gave a ser.es of amusing bur--1 iesque mutations of different types of ' actors. His best effort was as Rronzo, the bullfighter. The account of Bronzo’s fight as supplied by the “Barcelona Bawl” was delightful. Then the hero’s effort to get uhqad of the orchestra was clever. The second sketch was “lhe White Hope,” This was another superb bit of foolery that could not fail to con--1 vulse. Miss Hilda (Ryder is a clever little comedienne entirely unlike any other comedienne. She has a wonderfully restrained manner, and somehow her work has a gem-like quality about it. There is an amazing freshness about her, and the appeal she makes is an irresistible one. xxer voice is smalt but exquis itely produced, and her gestures are always expressive /and captivating. Her comedy is bright and light, and she interprets it in a fascinating way. Miss Glyder’s most popular number, if one stood out at all, was “The Sheik of Birmingham.” In this she told of the numberless charms of Loving Sam, the lucky fellow who earned tne intriguing title. As an encore she ttang “Oh Johnny,” a popular song which she introduced. Beryl Beresford is small 'physically, but she is tremendous comically. She is a burlesque comedienne, out of the ordinary, and she does the work as it has never been done before, and her work cannot fail to please. After endeavouring tO' help or hinder her pianist, Leslie Hinton m a song, she sang a choice piece of grand opera herself. The effect was brilliantly ludicrous. . The little speech she made at the end of her act was a model. D’Alma and his canine .marvels present a good act, and the master of the hounds go.es through , a series of amazing evolutions on stilts. The dogs themselves are really marvellous. Maggie Foster, a young violinist with a brilliant technique, soon made .herself a favourite. There was a pleasing steadiness in her work, and her tone was exquisite, and she was accorded a trifle real. Leo Brampton and his part- ; ner did an original strong-m,nn act. Appearing first as statues in a statue pose, the abando’od immobility in th-j poetry of their movement and elegant poise were loudly applauded. Massona , and Ronald ,are a pair of jugglers, one I of them very young, who will do anything at all with plates, cups and dishes. Lucan and M’Shane, who appeared in tlie first company, did a new sketch entitled , “The Qld Match-Seller.” Incidental music'was played bv • a wellbalanced orchestra under the capable baton of Arthur G. Forrest. -