ST. JAMES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 527, 3 December 1928, Page 15

ST. JAMES

GEORGE WARD REVUE In a happy series of burlesques, songs and dances, the George Ward Revuo Company continues to delight crowded audiences at the St. James Theatre. For this week’s revue, as a whole “Mixed Grills” is an apt name. It is a mirthful round of numbers by a •mpany of artists in their particular ways, and the delicious combination of song and dance banishes dull care for the evening. Little Hermie is, of course, a host in himself with his bright jests and comedy sketches, and Charles Sherman is winning many new admirers. The many sketches which form the “piece de resistance” of the programme are all delightful fooling. One of the cleverest reveals a scarecrow coming to life and dancing with his “crow sweetheart,” and another describes the unforeseen results of the effort of an old gentleman and his wife to help a friend who has been dogged by misfortune. There are other sketches, of course, all well staged and reflecting credit on George Ward, Charles Sherman, Frank Moran, Gus Dawson, Curly Sherwood and the others who take the leading roles. Among the musical numbers, those by Patsy Hill, Colleen Hope and Vernon Sellars stand out in the memory, and Mrs. Kathleen Ward’s orchestral leadership can scarcely be forgotten. Led by Frank Wilson, the Charleston Symphonic Six, a jazz band of exceptional vigour, is pleasing Aucklanders. The band makes syncopation a feature, and novelty solo work is introduced freely. Six charming girls do the bulk of the dancing of the show—very ably assisted by Jean Keith —and all have no difficulty in dancing their way into the hearts of the audience.