JAZZ REVUE CO. OPENS AT THEATRE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18011, 23 November 1926, Page 7

JAZZ REVUE CO. OPENS AT THEATRE.

COLOURED PEOPLE SHOW HOW CHARLESTON IS DONE Plenty of jazz, negro dancing and I singing are contained in the performance of the Ferris Jazzland Revue Company which began a season last night in the Theatre Royal. Natural!v the much-discussed “ Charleston ” had its place in the entertainment, two versions being given. The first was said to be as it is done in America, but one could only imagine that that version was confined to the lower grades of saloons. It calls for remarkable agility and speed in footwork, and a course of it would be enough exercise for an athlete, but it be said that it holds anv grace. The second version was that of Hawaii, which has all the vigour of the other and has the hula-hula hip movement embodied as well. How ever, both exhibitions were interesting and amusing. The jazz band, which opened the programme and played accompaniments to the dances, consisted of six performers, and it came as a surprise to find that there was lacking the usual rattle and bang associatec* with such musical organisations. Wind instruments were muted and antics

were left to the black-faced conductor, “ Yes, Sir, She’s My Baby,” “ The Low Down Blues,” and other jazz nurr. bers were effectively played before the remainder of the company came on in a chorus and dance, and then adopted the semi-circular formation of the old time minstrels. ’• The two corner men exchanged gags and conundrums in the accustomed manner, and the lady who took the centre part helped them along in their comedy \i\,ork. In Miss Thompson was found a pleasing soprano, and Mr Montgomery, one of the few white folk of the troupe, has a good tenor voice. In solos and duets this pair were very satisfying, the former singing “ The Valley of Laughter * and “The Sunset Trail,” the latter “ Beneath Thy Window ” and “Just a Little Smile.” A mixed sextette in Jubilee numbers was one of the most pleasing features, and a male quartette balanced well. A prominent and energetic member of the party was La Buster, a female of con siderable skill in eccentric and acrobatic dancing. His make-up as a girl was admirable, and the ultimate doffing of the wig came as a surptise to those without programmes. Miss Benjamin was at the piano all the evening and in the second part gave a couple of solos in a finished manner, items which drew merited applause. Messrs Godfrey and Murray provided much amusement in comedy work, 1 and the performance ended with the company doing the “ Kentucky Derby” and the “ Cakewalk,” a ljegro dance which was popular for a period over twenty years ago. The minstrel formation is abandoned in the second half, the performance taking the usual concert style. The fairly large audience of last night appeared to enjoy the show, which does not pretend to be a high-class one. but merely one to give an evening of light enjoyment. The company will appear again this evening.