"ARTISTS AND MODELS"

Chronicle (Levin), 29 March 1947, Page 4

"ARTISTS AND MODELS"

clever, colourful company When Jenny Howard and Company brought back ,to Auckland all che cherished highlights of the old flesh and blood variety show, the storied walls of His Majesty's Theatre resounded as of yore to the sounds of mirth and melody and che applause that only a denghted capacity house can give. It seemed' that the shades of many past musie hall artists had gathered (to cheer on the artists seeking to bring the stage back to universal popularity. Subtly titled "Artists and Models," the show, with its highclass variety acts as gems in a precious filagree setting, comes t.o che Palmerston North Opera House on Thursday and Friday, April 10 and 11, at 8 p.m., with a matinee on Friday afternoon at 1.30. The season will extend over four nights (and three matinees) , the London laugh riot, "It's Foolish But It's Fun," being presented on Saturday :and Monday, April 12 and 14, at 2 each afternoon and at 8 each night. These shows are "but the forerun'ners of others to come under the auspices of the famous Tivoli circuit and R. J. Kerridge, and give residents of Levin and the surrounding districts the opportunity to ""witness acts which have won and would win high merit on the world's leading vaudeville stages. Flashing through the fabric of

the entertainment, the very soul and spirit of music hall gaiety, Jenny Howard captivates her audience in her various moods of charaeter comedy combined with a tuneful voice. "Oh Johnny" as sung by her becomes a special memory, and there is peculiar artistry and charm in her songs "after" Gracie Fields and Maurice Chevalier. In a brisker sketch she reveals a flair for cross-talk fun, and still later her flair for provoking" mirth takes a new turn as she confides to the >world "that; no.*one- loves au fairy when she's old. Melody and music are the ingredients also of a turn by the Musical Macs, in which a bouncing soprano harmonises with sweet concertina obligato and sour looks by her partner. Under a mask of extreme dopiness the two Maxwells bring off extraordinary feats of handbalancing, while Clifford Guest combines ventriloquism and- voicethrowing mimicry in an exceptionally clever act that requires to be seen and heard to be appreciated. A pantomime humorist is Eddie Gordon, who keeps the house rocking with, laughter for ten minutes without speaking a word by the use of make-u'p, facial expression and business with a bike which includes unusual trick cycling. Gardner and Kane specialise in tap dancing; Elimar's juggling, balancing and slack-wire turn is among the highlights; and the six de Paul girls provide a whirl of acrobats. - ; y" . . r The company includes s. fine baritone in Victor Moore, a new charaeter comedian in Buster Noble, several sopranos, a bountiful ballet and half-a-dozen statuesque models. With Robert Butt as spirited compere they all play effecfcive parts in the comedy sketches and spectacles with which the programme is plentifully sprmkled. The scenes without exception are brilliantly striking, with a finely produced study in reflections as the highlight in breath-catching beauty.