“ON WITH THE SHOW”

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 105, 28 January 1935, Page 4

“ON WITH THE SHOW”

Frank Neil Revues Popular

Brighter and even better than the opening programme, a new revue, "On With the Show,” ushered in the second week of Frank Neil's new Vaii'levillc Revue Company at the Grand Opera House on Saturday night, when every sent in the big theatre was occupied and liundreds had to be refused admittance Mr. Neil has certainly assembled a fine aggregation of talent.

There are several new song hits tli.it are bound to catch the public ear. Outstanding in these is the new Irving Berlin song. "Not for All the Rice in China.” which was presented to Air Neil by the composer when the revue manager was Inst in New York. This number lias a swinging chorus, the lure of which cannot be avoided. It is sung by the full company at the beginning and end of the show. Another capital number is the scena, “The Easier Parade.” a musical throw-back to the days of 1860, when women wore bustles and men favoured frock coats and belltoppers. This number. first sung by Aliss Grace Hartington and Air. Ted Simpson, develops until the whole stage is peopled with the folk of nearly SO years ago—ladies and gentlemen. “toughs” and their "tarts,” children, larrikins, loafers, and honest working men. all of whom join ! n the “Easter Parade” in a lively street scene. Then there was “Oh, You Nasty Man.” and “Loveable,” in a charming scene, “Life’s Shop Window,” in which the evening dressed models, male and female, meet mid marry at midnight, but. even as the elock strikes the mystic hour they return once more to their places ni the windows. These choral seenas were extremely effective and deservedly popular. Joey Porter, the whimsical little English comedian, appeared in a wealth of new gags and jokes. Most laughable of all were the farce “Cheap Lodgings” and the sketch “The Fiddler,” in which Porter with violin amuses for ten minutes without playing a note of music. Alec Hails, “the German silence.”'gave further evidence of his versatility, as a trombonist; a trap drummer and an eccentric dancer. The Diamondos. from the Holies Bergere, demonstrated to what a fine degree rhythm and grace may be imported into statuesque posing under coloured lights. The grace and amazing elasticity of the lady and the strength and Herculean proportions of her partner are a happy combination.

Those neat quiet steppers. MacDonald and Graham, whose melody echoes from their soles, roused Hie audience to a high pitch of enthusiasm. Cora Whitwell and the girls sang the new catch, “Oil. Yon Nasty Alan.” the somewhat vulgar implications of which was emphasised bv an enlarged picture on the back cloth of the subject of the song. The dance was smartly done, as are all the ballet accompaniments Io such numbers, Nat Hope amt Doreen Ray assisted in patter turns, and Miss Grace Hartington sang with a nice degree of vocal artistry a very charming ballad of sentiment. "Silver Hair and Heart of Gold,” then showed her real paces in the waltz song from “’Pom Jones” (Ed. German). Prominent among the stars were the three breath-catching knock-about dancers. Nice. Florio and Lnbow, the crazy trio, who sustained the impression they created in the opening bill The T|;ree Ambassadors caught the susceptibilities of the audience when they lapsed into the songs of long ago. and Mr. Harry Lazarus, who is not only a good conductor but a clever pianist and sketch artist, deserves all credit for the work lie does both before and behind the curtain.

Thorp will lie a further change of programme next Saturday afternoon, which will usher in. the last week of the season.