HUMPHREY BISHOP CO.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5072, 7 January 1927, Page 2

HUMPHREY BISHOP CO.

BRIGHT, CLEVER PROGRAMME. FULL HOUSE AT GAIETY THEATRE When the Humphrey Bishop Musical Comedy Company was at Paeroa about three years ago it left behind an enviable reputation for bright, clever entertainment. Therefore it was not surprising that on its return to the Gaiety Theatre last night it was welcomed by a large* audience. It was soon apparent that the company, despite changes in its personnel, was as entertaining as ever, and the audience settling down to enjoy itself was not disappointed. It was a show cf infinite variety, with a little of everything—delightful singing, gay dancing, diverting sketches, much clever nonsense —and about it all a snap and sparkle, and evenness of running that was most refreshing. The orchestra was a feature, the costuming beautiful and artistic, and the mounting all that could be desired. Through the whole Show could be detected the. guiding hand -fo Mr Humphrey Bishop, developing and conducting and bringing out the best in the players. Little wonder that the audience was unusually responsive and applauded every item enthusiastically.

Mr George Ross, the comedian of the company, as “Scratchcr” proved very amusing and entertaining, and showed great ability as an instrumentalist. Mr Walter Kingsley’s singing was a feature. oT the programme. His voice is of beautiful quality and great power and delightful resonance. His rendering oT “The Toreador” and Ser-geant-Major on Parade” was much enjoyed. Mr Charles Albert caused much merriment with his dame study, his diatribes on “Man the Brute" tickling the. audience immensely. Mr Fred Webber is an unusually gi'fted artist, being a nimble dancer and a talented pianist, cornetist, singer, and comedian. Mr Mark Leslie plealsed greatly in light comedy items, and struck a deeper note with “Too many parties.” The. company is unusua.Uy strong in dancers, and °ne of the best of them is Mr Alan Kitson, who danced with delightful abandon, and his clever footwork and attractive personality made many 'friends. Mr John Montfort has a tenor voice that, is sweet and true, Mr Dan Flood contributed monologues, both grave and gay, at the piano, and these proved very acceptable to the audience. The ladies of the company—who, incidentally, are good to look upon—are also talented. Miss Thelma Trott, the soprano, has a sweet voice of appealing quality, and Misses Dorothy Ryder, Marie Landon, and Evadne Royle. are clever singerg and dancers. Mr Frank Egan, the violinist of the orchestra, caused much amusement with his antics in a jazz overf ire.

The intimation that the company would return to Paeroa in the near future was. received with prolonged applause.