STAGE SHOW IN ROTOPUA

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5309, 23 January 1947, Page 5

STAGE SHOW IN ROTOPUA

Napier "Frivs" Are Well Received Flesli and blood shows are, in this country at least, pitifully few and far between. Consequently, when New Zealanders do have the opportunity of seeing a stage show, citizens are not slow to grasp that opportunity, and show appreciation in full should the performance be a meritorious one. The audience at the pantomime-cum-variety show presented in the Majestic Theatre last night prove.l the Frivolity Minstrels a good night's entertainment, the a-pplause heing far from stinted. First part of the programme was in the shape of the old-time nigger minstrel show, and the 18 items were interspersed with wisecracks and jokes in the true Mississippi minstrel show style. .Contralto J-une Berry, singing "Let the Creat Big World Keep Turning," drew prolonged applause, and taking applause to be the criterion whereby the audience's fee,lings are gauged, was the most popular singer of the evening. Possibly tying for first place with Miss Berry was the speciality number by Ivena Pathan, in which this talented young lady attired in the dress, colour and character of a coon belk, cavorted about the stage in a song and danee item well worthy of a professional performer. Wally Ir eland, who informed the world at large that "Nobody Loves a Fairy When She's Forty," took the part of a decrepif fay whose rheumatics and lumhago are ohviously the eause of the spirit's fall from favour. The pantomime, "Sleeping Beauty" which was as all good pantomimes are, a vehicle for carrying a host of funny sayings, modern and not so modern songs, and some very beautiful costumes, was equally well received by the almost capacity house. Her Majesty the Queen, • portrayed by Wally Ireland, and the cocky little King (Ivena Pothan), literally the long and short of it, were responsible for stealing much of the show, but mention must be' made of the wicked old witch, an essential of any fairy story. This part was played exceptionally well by Joyce Player. Lengthy training was apparent in the work of the various ballets, and indeed, the entire show which, for an amateur production, was extremely well thought out and exeeuted.