"CHEERIO."

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18372, 4 May 1925, Page 7

"CHEERIO."

COLLEGE REVUE TO-NIGHT. To-night will be the first joyful night of the season of the Canterbury College Revue, /'Cheerio," at the Theatre Eoyal. The players havo worked hard and successfully, and the piece gains in the acting of it. The revue is divided into three acts. The first act and the last act a'ppeal mainly to the intellect." TheHniddle • act'nelieves the mind 7 and appeals solely to tho eye. The plot* in thn rst and third acta are clear, and are ' quite strong enough to hold the attention of tho audience, hut the real triumph 73 in the presentation of acts, the vivacious and lacy quality of wit, the skilful portrayal of individual characters, and the good combined work of the chotue. Both acts rely for their effect primarily on situation'. In the first act an impostor professor finds himself. mistaken for a real professor under rather enjoyable circumstances, and decides to aid the illusion. The act develops his adventures in a succession of ludicrous incidents, while the unity of the movement is maintained till his denouement. The third act, is more dramatic, and plays 'more upon the cpotions of the audience. Three clergymen. ate sent U> Dixieland to inspect its propriety, and draw up a report!. Their report is quite satisfactory, but why and how it is satisfactory forms the substance of the plot. The action never ceases for a moment—the fears, the . discoveries, and explanations keep the attention ■ till the end. Running right: through the. revue is a typical stage hilarity aided by a wealth' of rollicking songs. Its aim is to amuse and delight, to lift the care 3 from the shoulders of the audience, and drive away tho shadows. P. D. Hall, as Adolph Fitzsimm'ons, otherwise known as Professor Jones, a peddler of perfumery, ie a great success, and is ably supported by P. Barrett and A. L. . Haslam as . members of the legal finn of Twist and Gra-bb. Tho musical numbers in the first act include "Supposing," "Bless the Girls," and "Love." P. D. Hall has another leading part in the third act as tho Rev. Dean Dot-ard-Carry one, and his are A. Mackay as the Rev. Juibes, and Slocombe as the Rev. Odgers. There are ten musical numbers, including "Cricket in November," "Three Fishers." and "What a Naughty O'd Gentleman." Tho l"dv pnncipals in ih<\ first act are Misses M. Sowderi and N. Billcliff, and in tho third, Misses Sowden, Billcliff, and Carrington.