"THE BING BOYS BROADWAY.”

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1591, 21 October 1920, Page 37

"THE BING BOYS BROADWAY.”

Melody and revelry, running riot for nearly three hours, make up the composition of “The Bing, Boys on Broadway,” and with a host of lovely girls enriching scene after scene of novelty and splendour,. audiences at His Majesty’s agree that never has there been such a consistently amusing, beguiling and stimulating production as the present big revue presented by J. C. Williamson. The adventures of Lucifer Bing and his cousin Potifer in America, and the safeguarding of the diamond garter of Emma (now Duchess of Dullwater), are reason enough for the producers to elaborate on wonderful settings in distinctive scenes. These include the roof-g'aTden of a fashionable New York hotel, the interior of a Chinese opium den, and a moving picture town with an Indian setting. Miss Jennie Hartley, who takes the part of Emma, the little cockney elevated to Duchess and crazy to act in the pictures, has a personality of instant fascination. Her piquancy and East End-cum-West End manners are an unending delight, and her methods of handling a ditty denote her sure sense of humour. “My Position” has some sly touches that she makes much of, and in the sentimental duet “First Love” with Mr. Phil Smith she also scored popularly,' while in a catchy effusion, “Day After Day,” she and Mr. Smith made the hit of the performance. Mr. Phil Smith as Lucifer Bing is droll to a degree. The part suits him to perfection, and he was never in happier vein than when steering Emma through the danger zones. “Remember your rank,” he said to Emma, who was “slanging” the waiter in best Billingsgate style. “I’m what?” screamed Emma with indignation, and the audience got one of its best laughs. He was a scream in every phase, and none more so than as an Indian chief in the pictures. Mr. Gus Bluett was amusing as the inane young American cousin, Potifer Bing. Mr. Reginald Roberts made a pleasing feature of his song “In Mandalay,” in which he was* assisted by a very charming new arrival in Miss Edith Drayson. Miss Drayson was also eminently successful in “Something Oriental,” the allurement being enhanced by the shadowy effect of dancers just visible through the haze of smoke. “Bubbles” with Mr. Roberts was another number gracefully done, a tiny little girl also being heard in the solo. Miss Maggie Dickinson, as usual, was an enchantment in her dances, which included a sailor’s hornpipe, a jazz and a fantasy. Miss Phyllis Amery was another appealing little dancer, with whom Mr. Jap. Caryll was effectively partnered in the cabaret scene.