“MUST MAKE THEM LAUGH,” DECLARES TEDDY CARLTON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17835, 1 May 1926, Page 6

“MUST MAKE THEM LAUGH,” DECLARES TEDDY CARLTON.

FULLERS’ ARTISTS TELL THEIR STORY. “Make them laugh—that’s our motto. We want everybody happy, everybody smiling, and nobody sad.” Teddy .Carlton of the Taylor-Carl-ton Super Pierrots, now at Fullers’ Opera House, drew a stick of greasepaint across his upper lip, sat back in his dressing-room chair and became suddenlv reminiscent. “We’ve always wanted to do that, he said with a smile, “and anyone will tell you that a good pierrot show is one of the most laughable forms of entertainment extant. We knew that, and that’s why we formed our show. “And do the people laugh.'” he was asked a little timidly. It was an unnecessary question, for although only an infant as theatrical companies go. the Taylor-Carlton Super Pierrots have already achieved a measure of fame in the world of entertain“Do they laugh?” said Jimmy Taylor in amazement, “I should say they do. A CLEVER COMEDIAN. And Timmy Taylor was right. He himself is one of the most mirth-pro-voking members of this little band of entertainers, and he is the same jolly, smiling care-free fellow behind the scenes as he is before the foot-lights where the public see him in his quaint pierrot costume, with his pencilled e3 rebrows and crimson cheeks. And while one pulled on his costume. and the other brushed his hair preparator3 r to “going on,” the inter-

viewer was told how in a pierrot show the artists cannot depend on grotesque make-up for their laughs, how .vulgarity is banned, and sheer individuality and artistry is the keynote of success. He was told, too, how while pla>'ing in Australia prior to coming over to the Dominion, Mr Ta3dor was complimented b> r a Bishop and another reverend gentleman of the Anglican church for his excellent characterisation of his famous clerical role.

UNEXPECTED GUESTS. “Whew, didn’t I sit back when those two called round at the of the stage.” said Teddy Carlton. “You see. we theatrical folk are not used to receiving such guests. They don’t often go out of their way to express their opinions of our work—but I'll tell J’ou we were glad to see them.” 4 . “We were,” said Jimmy Ta> r lor. “Fine fellows those,” and he struggled with a costume of bilious hue. “People want laughter to-day Teddy Carlton said as he applied the finishing touches to his make-up. “They are crying out for it. They want something away from the ordinary run something with the element of novelty.” “And that’s where the pierrotS c 0133 ® in," put in Jimmy Taylor with a laugh. “We’re out to give them what they want.” There was a knocking on the dressingroom door. ‘‘Rcad3*?” came a pretty feminine voice. It belonged to Doro-

thea Summers, the clever character artist of the little band. “Quite,” replied Tedd\’ Carlton. “Coming now.” “Very sony, old chap, but we must be going,” said Jimmy Taylor apologeticall\ r , “we ll see you after the show.” Somewhere a bell rang. The super six “went on,” the curtain was raised, and a house that was alread3* smiling looked up one of the cleverest little bands that has ever been brought to this cit3 r . TALENT AND MODESTY. Talent and modest 3-, it has been said go hand in hand, and that is certainl>* true with the Ta\*lor-Carlton Pierrots at any rate. Jimmy Ta\-lor hadn’t told how he had achieved fame in London and other large cities of the world as a character artist, how his partner, too, vivacious Dorothea Summers, excelled in this work, nor had mention been made of the talents of William J. Aspden, who has pla>'ed the leading roles in an extensive repertoire of thirty-two operas, of clever Beryl Scott, the brilliant young Australian pianist, who has toured the world with large theatrical companies, or of the vocal accomplishments of little Doroth}- Rosslyn. They didn’t mention those things, but the interviewer knew the history of this talented band of performers, and knowing that he understood why the TaylorCarlton Super Pierrots had proved a success.