THE KIWIS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 12, 5 October 1945, Page 8

THE KIWIS

FIRST CLASS ENTERTAINERS

POPULAR 'DIGGER' SHOW;

Whakatane is still rocking at some of the quips and stunts put over in .the two performances by the touring Kiwi Concert Party, which appeared lasl Thursday and hriday in the Grand Theatre. Both shows 'Maadi Gras' and 'Demand Performance' were excellent and provided the public with one of those all-too-rare entertainments which are in themselves a genuine tonic.

The company has combined a group of high-class artists each of whom is a star in his own respective sphere. The show is further boosted by a remarkable musical combination of nine instrumentalists, where again each is not only a master but is versatile into the bargain. Whakatane looked forward to a treat and was not disappointed. From beginning to end the Kiwis maintained their high standard of lyrical fun and vocal and instrumental excellence. They can rest assured of a warm welcome on any future re J turn visits. It is seldom that local audiences enjoy singei's of the calibre of baritone 'Tally' Owen, or of Lionel Bailey (tenor) both of whom were heard in Tk)P u l ar numbers of a prewar flavour. Their appearance was always popular with the which applauded to the echo. The female impersonations by Phil Jay and John Hunter were tops of the show. No wonder* the boys over-* seas spoke so highl3 r of it. Humour was the keynote of all Phil Jay's appearances, but in John Hunter's portrayal the transformation was something of a miracle. The char-) acterisations were so convincing that one was at times completely at peace with the idea that it could not possibly be an all-male caste. John's remarkable lightness on his feet enables him to do ballet dancing in a manner of which any girl could be genuinely proud. Down-at-heels Dick Marcroft brought the house down with his sober recitations. Dick might in truth h'ave stepped out of Bairns, fathers, sketches. He was certainly reminiscent of 'Ole Bill and his mates.. Versatility and polish were reflected in the appearances of Snowy Tims and Stan Wineera. We liked particularly the latter's desertation on 'laughter.' Other highlights were afforded by accordion playing by Snowy Hall and Harry Unwin while Eddie Hegan, producer-actor never failed to fetch a laugh.

The orchestra under Geoge Hatton was something worth coming many miles to hear on its; own. We have the highest praise for the musicians who compose it and congratulate one and all for the splendid per_ formance they put up.