“WHIRLIGIGS” AGAIN

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 486, 16 October 1928, Page 15

“WHIRLIGIGS” AGAIN

STIFFY AND MO: NEW SHOW AT ST. JAMES With merry gyrations “Whirligigs” entered upon the second popular week of the company’s stay in Auckland last evening, St iffy and Mo appearing in new and boisterously funny sketches. The new fcst. James Theatre was full for the performance and it will undoubtedly remain so for the rest of the Nat .Phillips season. Apart from the talent of tne principals, the show has great strength in the Charleston Symphonic Six, a jazz band with personality, and in th • Radio Six, the neatest, best-dressea and most-accompushed ballet ever seen in Auckland lor some months. After a peppy overture, the revue quickly gets into its stride, Peter Brooks, with the help of the high-stepping Radio Six, featuring in *Tm in Love.” Stilly (Nat Phillips) and Mo (Roy Rene), that duo notorious on both sides of the Tasman and much further afield, make their first appearance irr one of their typical sketches, “On the Phone,” in which they rim a profiteering telephone bureau with more or less success, Mo being “central” until the dramatic finish. “Black Shuffle,” with the Terry Sisters and the Radio Six, in becoming sheerities of black and white, is a good number, the girls stepping the latest jazz with vim and finesse. Following tliis is another sketch, “If I Were Game,” done- in two acts most effective % This is a new version of the of the eternal triangle puzzle, and Stiffy and Mo present the second act, a most ludicrous affair, without concealing anything.. Tho pleasing Sadie Gale gives a dramatic number, “As Long as He Loves Me,” with feeling and scores a big hit with the audience. “Cairo” is a song scena of Eastern flavour, Dan Weldon supplying the voice, with a background of harem beauties and dancing girls. The Terry Sisters dance delightfully in the appropriate lack of costume. Amy Rochelle, tho voice of the company, has a good number, “Good-bye, Boys,” the Radio Six helping in most attractive frocks with black, deceptive capes. One of Mo’s best efforts of the evening is that of the “medical student” in “Birthday Presents.” His explanation to Sadie Gale of how lie is “stewing down at the Varsity” is one of the most laughable things on the programme. The Charleston Symphonic Six take charge before the second act and play the latest jazz, including “Ramona,” in perfect time. Stiffy then takes the baton from Les. Clements and Mo becomes a drummer to the delight if the house. Tlie second half of the bill is filled bv “The Bellboy,” a “short musical comedy revuette,” in which everyone in the company gets a chance. The best musical numbers are “Isio D’Amour,” with Amy Rochelle and the Radio Six, and “Hello, Cutie.” Sadie Gale and the Six. Jack Kelleway, Daisy Merritt, Dan Dunbar, and Sylvia Gardner all carry tlieir parts well. The Countess de Malroy, related to the nobility of several European countries, was a recent visitor on the “Oh, Kay!” set at First National studios as the guest of Colleen Moore, the star. The countess told Miss Moore that she is a favourite in European theatres, and took keen interest in the filming of "Oh, Kay!” “The Mating Call,” Thomas Meighan’s second picture this year for Paramount, has been titled and edited The story is taken from Rex Beach's popular novel. Evelyn Brent and Renee Adore© are featured in the film, which will follow “The Racket,” Meighan’s previous picture. The title of the first Paramount allsound picture is “Burlesque.” It is a story of back-stage life and has broken records as a stage play. Backstage vernacular, actual speech songs, musical accompaniment and sound effects, will be features of the production.