VARIETY SHOW

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 92, 28 June 1946, Page 5

VARIETY SHOW

E 1946 ROYAL REVUE -'.SPLENDID BENEFIT CONCERT i It is many years since a Whakatane audience has enjoyed a show composed entirely of local talent of the calibre of the' 1946 Royal Revue, a first class variety concert staged in the inter ests of the current C.0.R.5.0. campaign. The producer and musical director was Mr K. Jarrett, who not only shouldered the burden of training those taking part, but also figured prominently in the programme itself. We offer our heartiest congratulations to Mr Jarrett on the remarkable success of the show, and also on the splendid array of talent which he has discovered in the process.

From the lively strains of the Vic“tory Polka, which opened the concert, the programe was a non-stop "entertainment for well over two

hours, and the packed audience gave -enthusiastic applause to each and -every item. The wide range of items -covered was a tribute to the versatility of the local artists, and the general comment on the concert was one of surprise and pleasure, that so much talent existed in the district. ‘ The outstanding achievement was the production of a first class revue orchestra, which made up the entire background to the proceedings, and which provided selections and musical interludes which would be hard

to beat anywhere. The orchestra - alone was worth the entrance money -and we congratulate its members, Messrs. F. Burt, J. Jones, T. Marr, M. Warbrick, M. Clarke, T. Hayden, L. Broadmore and R. Thompson, not

forgetting its conductor. , A bright little interlude was afforded by the Mitai sisters of Matata, ".who figured in the Sailor’s Hornpipe, and'then later on in an Irish Jig, to which Mr Don Stewart’s modulated baritone voice acted as a fitting pre-

clude in Rose of Tralee. Well rendered viqJjß solos by Mrs J. Larmer foere equally popular with the audience. Another highlight of the musi-

cal section was a piano duet “Chris-

tina” played by Messrs Ted Hayden Reg Thompson. The Revue c£)rchestra struck its tops in ‘Song of India', which won the wholehearted approbation of the audience, and was in itself, a first class accomplish-

- Soloists during the evening were -also exceptionally good. We were particularly struck by Dawn Arm-strong/s-reijdition of “Time Waits for Jtfo One” apd “Vilia,” and also “My . Mother’s Waltz”, rendered with orchestral background by Miss Dorothy iStewart. ;The duets in the second half by Miss Stewart and Miss Jean Armstrong “Just a Prayer Away” and “Down in the Valley” were real-

ly excellent, and the blending of the - two voices was something which Wha katane audiences will be charmed

to hear again. Mr Jack Denham was his own robust self in the celebrated Drinking Song and “The Trump-

eter.” We have yet to hear a basso

who can reach to the depths of Mr Denham. Humorous intervals punctuated the concert with good effect, .and comprised Messrs. Dick Hansen, Tom Warner, Joe Buddie and.Gpr- * don Tippett (with . emphasis upon 'Gordon Tippett). In practically every instance the skits smacked of the ex-Kiwi concerts, and never failed to dra\y a big laugh. We liked

Jimmy Durante and Harry James (Q. Tippett and K. Jarrett) and the final flourish featuring Fifi, Fraufrau and Lolo in the Can-Can as it has never been done before. Other skits were ‘Family Troubles’, ‘Boy! Am I Lucky’, and ‘lt’s in the Bag’. Mr Hans Haeusler once more delighted with his ever popular item on Chalk Talk, and his clowning and patter, which invariably accompany the act were as. fresh as ever. Maori items by the Paroa school pupils, served further to increase the variety, and won deserved applause. Four members of the Whakatane Boys’ Band (B. and G. Skelton, S. tfJcore and R: Ward) gave a well tendered instrumental quartet, with W. Jarrett Sen. as conductor. It

mas followed by a splash of Scotch an which the Rev. H. M. Bell brawly resplendarrt in kilt provided pipe accompaniment for little Janice Bell ancf*R. Mitai in the double Sword Dance. ... 7

Another exceedingly popular item Was provided by six members of

Mr Phil Dixon’s gymnasium troupe, each member of which was exceptionally good. The general clowning and clever skit work by this group fairly brought down the house, and the whole turn can be described as a genuine asset to the concert. The Merry Widow excerpts figured late in the second half, and once more featured the full review company on the stage. The chorus was a fine addition to the concert throughout and their appearance in evening dress made a fitting conclusion. As the last curtain fell, the audience with one accord gave the players an ovation. Mr C. Kingsley-Smith, chairman of the C.0.R.5.0. Committee, took the opportunity of publicly thanking the players and especially Mr Ken Jarrett on whom the weight of the whole production had fallen. He thanked all who had been in any way associated with the show, and anounced that as a result, approximately £3O had been raised for the C.0.R.5.0.- funds.'