VAUDEVILLE & AMATEUR TRIALS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 193, 13 May 1944, Page 5

VAUDEVILLE & AMATEUR TRIALS

There was very little resemblance between the vaudeville shows of 20 years ago and that which confronted the audience at the Grand Opera House last evening. It was obvious from the beginning that the performers were' not quite “the cream of Australian talent” (vide the bills), as In the majority of instances their efforts somewhat lacked that finish and quality which mark those of the front rank in this class of entertainment. Indeed, from an entertaining point of view some of the “turns” contributed in the amateur trials, which constituted the second part of the programme, were amusing, while here and there were vocalists in the rough who have possibilities. The -performance commenced with a tap ballet of bare-legged girls, uniform in figure, and spry iu their routiue. There was also an exhibition of rope-spinning by an elderly gentleman wearing glasses, and some music from the harmonica, which, in pitch, was not ou the friendliest terms witii the pianoforte; besides which the player had an exaggerated idea that an intense tremolo was necessary tp convey his musical intention. A banjo player also contributed to the instrumental part of the programme. The brightest performer was a promising soubrette, who, aided by the winsomeness of youth and a smart figure, sang “Don't Get Round Any Alore’ ’and “Put Your Arms Around Me” (with tap dance). The chef d’oeuvre of tliQ first part was announced as “The Man of Mystery,” who performed tricks of legerdemain, and then, hanging head downward, managed to escape from a straight jacket while so suspended in less than a minute. The amateur trials included singers, a monologuist, a dancer, and a magician. One likeable youth with a lusty baritone voice had to respond to a double encore. The funniest one was the lad who evidently was not quite sure whe - ther ho was a light tenor or a soprano; though the woman who baulked at the top note evemr tseheyi Hsdh-h mh mh top note every time she came to it had her moments.