SOME GOOD TURNS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17170, 13 October 1923, Page 2

SOME GOOD TURNS.

AND SOME NOT SO GOOD. j AMATEUR VAUDEVILLE TRIALS. Though not of particularly large dimensions the audience which attended the Theatre Ilo\al last evening went there expecting to sec some fun and they were not disappointed. Plenty of humour was provided by the aspirants to vaudeville and revue, but at the same time many of the performers fibowed undoubted ability and* there were a number of turns far above a very great number of professional acts which have been brought to New Zealand by various thea.tricgj enterprises. The audience were quick to show their appreciation of good talent, ltut at the same time called loxidiy for more when a dud ” artist made his exit. This was. of course, in order that they could have some more fun at the performer’s expense. But taken all round last night’s audience was very orderly and the performers had nothing to complain of in that respect. Prior to the commencement of proceedings one of the promoters made the announcement that the trials were being held with the idea of unearthing dormant talent in Christchurch to use in the formation of a Now Zealand Revue Company. The programme opened with gont-le-ifien's comic singing. A negro impersonator was first to occupy the boards. Hi s make up was very good and his voice fair, and lie earned the hearty applause of the audience'. Then followed an artist dressed up a swagger. His rhoicc of songs was :< Tho Old Sundowner ’* which was rendered in a. sensi-soprano voice, his top note being very ehaky. He got on fairly well tiij ho commenced to inflict- a third verse on the audience, who then showed signs of restive ness. Every i and ag.-un he would sit down on his swag and these attitudes caused the audience to titter. The next performer came out in evening dress and rendered “On By Jingo ” in most vigorous fashion, waving his arm? and clenched fists the while in pugilistic attitude that would have dene credit to Dempsey or Pirpo. He also jx*rsisted in making various noises like one is accustomed to hearing in a farmyard, in place of doing the usual jazz utterances associated with this wellknown ragtime number. At the conclusion ol the song he proceeded to raise the dust with a few steps and he left the stags amidst much applause. The Grand Hotel with patter, presented by a small man weaving a red wig and small hat was not very impressive. Iho next- section was devoted to humorous recitations. The first competitor was a young girl whose offering was “Dish Washing.” This was a good turn, but perhaps a little too drawn out. A railway porter which told a story about ” The 11.69” in somewhat tame fashion. The action and expressive tone of the next competitor caused much amusement. His opening remark about one hair was followed by a loud “ Ha. ha !” from a person in the audience who laughed heartily. “Oh! Bitter was the Blow.” continued the reciter. ‘fe<o-o-oh ” came from the auditorium and again the audience shrieked. “ I’ll have it stuffed” persisted the performer. • ” Don't ” called back a youth in the gallery. Sneezes and cries of ‘"Oh ! Oh Unaccompanied by hearty laughter frequently drowned the performer's remarks. but he stuck to it to the finish. A Jewish conversation over a telephone was fairly well given. A monologue about a sweep was excellently rendered by a gentleman who sat at a table and every now and again had a sip from his pint mug. This was one of the best turns of the whole show and the performer displayed undoubted talent which the audience fully recognised.

A gentleman who gave » Dutch’ Yodelling Specialty was loudly encored. He was appropriately clad, and his performance was very fair. A dance specialty was presented by a young lady in a manner which would possibly earn her a place in an revue chorus, but she would have to pay more attention to her head gear which hist evening fell round her neck, much to the delight of the onlookers. The continual jangling of bells on her wrists was not conducive to harmony. A young girl in costume gave a Scotch reel which earned her hearty applause. Her brother followed with a similar dance and met with similar success. An eccentric Irish dance, given by a stockily-built young lady, erfeated great merriment, but the dance was so cleverly performed that the audience demanded an encore. The lightning-like action and precision with which this girl moved her feet evoked general admiration. Tliis turn was quite good enough for any show, amateur or professional. The same dance was given by another girl, but she suffered much in comparison wvitk the little lady who had appeared Immediately before her. A six-year-old tiny tot sang “ Don’t You Remember the Time,” and for n sympathetic encore gave “I’m Glad I Can Make You Cry.” Quite a good performance for one so young. The interval followed, and up to -this time the audience had greatly enjoyed the sixteen tarns which had been given. The second portion of the programme commenced with the gentlemen’s ballad singing. The first singer possessed a good voice, and had a fine delivery. Then a boisterous baritone tickled the audience with “ When the Great. Red Dawn is Shining.” The march refrain of “ Every Ship Will Find a Harbour.” sung by the next competitor in light voice, afforded the audience an ♦opportunity to stamp their feet loudly in unison with the tempo of the piece. The loud bursting - of a paper bag in the body of the theatre added to the | general merriment-. “Sometimes it | Seems that in my Dreams,” was as i far as the next performer got before ! he broke down. However, with a fresh j start he negotiated the first verse al! right, but when the again broke down at the commencement of the second verse the house rocked with laughter. “Excuse me. ladies and gentlemen. T only learnt this song yesterday.” he said somewhat pathetically, and retired midst general merriment. A competitor "received much applause for a [fair rendering of “Because.” j “Much of Nonsense and a Bit .>1 Trombone” was the announcement whicl preceded the next turn. The nonsens*: consisted of a song entitled “Shall T s: .—Let’s.” This was followed by the play ing of “Rocked in the Cradle of tl)# Deep.” which earned the player heartj applause and an encore lor which ' ragtime number was given. There followed two comic songs. “ Behave. Don't like bo do That,” and “Th* Mice have been at- it again, and oot.l v«r*-’°reU received as also was a. rag k time ditty “As Lons as She’s a Rea I Nme Girl.” “When Father Joined th* - Territorials” was given in tamo am choppy fashion by a young lad dressec ’ 1 in pyjamas and carrying a pop-gun A double Scotch dance by w boy nw