LONDON REVUE IN SPARKLING SHOW AT NEW OPERA HOUSE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18640, 18 December 1928, Page 7

LONDON REVUE IN SPARKLING SHOW AT NEW OPERA HOUSE.

The London Revue . Company still hold sway at Fuller’s Opera House, and still find great favour with the patrons there. Again last night they introduced a week with a snap and vim that would stand comparison with most shows. From the start they struck the right note, and maintained it in a steady crescendo throughout the evening. It has become an axiom that there is no falling away in their standard, and the audiences that flock to the Opera House know that and appreciate it. Frank O'Brian, the wit and general

leading spirit of the show, was in fine fettle last night. Nothing seems to throw him out of his stride. Every appearance he made was in its way a masterpiece. Ilis ever-read y fund of humour seems to know no end, and he draws on it lavishly. In sketch after sketch his peculiar talents become more apparent, yet his “stunts” and “gags” are ever original and never fail in their object, which is to give his audience the time of their lives. -With him Bert Lee makes an excellent partner, and indeed all associated work splendidly. Joe Hudson is another to whom credit must go for excellent work in the little potted plays i n which the company excels. He, Gordon Norville, Marie Ward, Janice Flart and Audrey Lewis complete an outstanding team. Individually, the artists were well up to form. Bert Lee, as usual, found some bright little songs. He was excellent with Frank O’Brian in “The Cave Dwellers,” a clever number which found great favour. Marie Ward's good voice had plenty 'of opportunity, among her songs being duets with Gordon Norville and Audrey Lewis, which were very pretty indeed. Audrey herself scored still further success in “Look in the Mirror” and the ever-popular “Four Leaf Clover” song. Gordon Norville in “Under the Moon” sang very acceptably. Janice Hart lost none of her great popularity in singing of her , “Mama,” and of other intriguing matters. She infuses all the “pep” in the world into her items. Ernie Brooks, in an acrobatic dance, showed that he • could perform with the best. , The jazz band, yclept “Y'asco’s Var- ■ sity Boys,” gave some really good , items. They never hesitate to depart , from jazz numbers for a time, and the i result is eminently pleasing. The Flap- j pers’ Ballet worked splendidly. «