PRINCE EDWARD

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 65, 8 June 1927, Page 15

PRINCE EDWARD

VAUDEVILLE LIFE •‘Upstage,” with TSforma Shearer in the leading role, is now showing at the Prince Edward Theatre. The story of “Upstage" is the “inside” of vaudeville life —its players are all vaudeville folk, on the stage, in booking agencies, in actors' ooardinghouses—it shows a people who are literally a little world in themselves—children of the night who play while others sleep. Norma Shearer plays the i feminine half of a song: and dance team—wistful bit of humanity when in trouble —a gorgeous creature indeed when, in glittering gowns, she parades in the spotlight. The story gets down to the human souls behind the glamour of the footlights; it takes the audience back “behind the scenes,’’ and shows how the “other half” lives. Walter De Leon, the author, knows* what he writes about. He was a vaudeville player himself for many years, until his fiction of the vaudeville stage won him recognition as a novelist. Monta Bell, who directed the picture, has produced vaudeville acts — he was thoroughly at home on the story. “Upstage” is a comedy drama played by actor-folk. There are laughs galore, with a romance, a few heart throbs —and even a thrill—all in all. it is intensely human. Norma Shearer as the “show-off-actress” is supported by Oscar Shaw, famous musical comedy of the stage, as her dancing partner, and the cast includes Dorothy Phillips, Ward Crane, Gwen Lee and others.