“ON WITH THE SHOW.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20540, 15 February 1935, Page 11

“ON WITH THE SHOW.”

A Whirl of Gaiety, Music and Laughter. To-night, at the Theatre Royal, the J. C. Williamson-Frank Neil International Y ariety Revue Company, which has played to packed houses nightly since its season opened last Saturday, will present a complete change of programme, entitled “On With the Show.” This latest offering features Nice, Florio and Lubow, sensational knockabout acrobatic dancers; Joey Porter, from England, who is said to be the finest comedian seen on the legitimate stage here for many years; Alec Halls, famous Continental silent humorist, from the Berlin Wintergarden; The Three Ambassadors, popular musicians, who set feet to tapping; “ Les Diamondes,” the adagio dancers, from the Folies Bergere, Paris, whose brilliant act wins unlimited applause; besides all the other members of this gay company of Continental artists. “On With the Show ” is claimed by North Island critics to be brighter and even better than the opening production, so Christchurch theatregoers can look forward to a whirl of gaiety, music" and laughter during its season. Writing of this revue, the “Dominion.” Wellington, said: “Mr Neil has certainly assembled a fine aggregation of talent. There are several new song hits that are bound to catch the public ear. Outstanding in these is the new Irving Berlin song.

‘Not For All the Rice in China,’ which w&s presented to Mr Neil by the composer when the revue manager was last in New York. This number has a swinging chorus, the lure of which cannot be avoided. It is sung by the full company at the beginning and end of the show. Another capital number is the scena ‘ The Easter Parade,’ a musical throw-back to the days of 1860, when women wore bustles and men favoured frock coats and bell-top-pers. .

Although the company is due in S3 rdney at an early date, which necessitates the limiting of the Christchurch season to ten nights, the management has made arrangements to present a third revue, “ Better Times.” This has been described by critics as “ a crazy night of fun and laughter,” for in it the players exchange parts and cause endless amusement. “ Better Times ” will begin at the matinee next Wednesday, and the company’s final performance will be given that night. There will be a matinee to-morrow, to which one child will be admitted free with every adult.