BRIGHT VAUDEVILLE

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 100, 22 January 1935, Page 3

BRIGHT VAUDEVILLE

Frank Neil’s “New Faces” Company

Frank Neil’s “New Faces” company provided another delightful entertainment at the Grand Opera House, Wellington, last night. It was, indeed, just the sort of performance one would expect from such a company of highclass artists from England, Europe and America. The company consists of people eminently proficient in their business, and yet embodying a diversity of talent, combined with personality, resulting, in an entertaining cocktail, the ingredients of which are vaudeville burlesque, pantomine, comedy, a touch of the drama, with a soupcon of musical comedy. Add to this lovely costuming novel in design and colour, and some really admirable scenic sets, and you have a fairly complete notion of what “New Faces” is like. To appreciate it, however, it has to be seen, as there is a dash and sparkle in the action that precludes specific analysis, while the barriers between the stage and audience are almost swept away, so familiar and intimate are the relations established.

The king pin of such a combination must be the comedian, and in Joey Porter Wellington is introduced to an altogether original fun-maker. Mr. Porter, young in years and slight in figure, simply oozes humour. His gags seem to be part of his personality, and they are all droll and shiny from the fun mint. He is just as funny in sketches as in reciting idiotic rhymes, and his assumption of chara'eter is remarkable.

Of the top-line speciality turns the knock-about dancing of Nice, _ Florio and Lubow, is as amazing as it is amusing. Two tough gentlemen in evening dress, and a silver-haired blonde, homeward bound, start to get rough, and the measured dance becomes a melee of hair-raising rough-and-tumble work, with plenty of hard knocks and surprise falls. Florio’s dives from thd stage into a side-box and, later, on to the floor of the auditorium were breathcatching; but it was all ingenious fooling—they know all about trick falling. Many others contribute to make a programme which is scintillating all tbe way through, and one of the brightest and snappiest Wellington has seen for some years. “New Faces” will be presented nightly at 8 o’clock, with matinees to-day and to-morrow, at 2.15 p.m.