FUNNIER AND FUNNIER

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 560, 12 January 1929, Page 13

FUNNIER AND FUNNIER

“ALL SORTS” AT ST. JAMES NEW PROGRAMME PRESENTED With another complete change of programme, George Wallace and his merry men, to say nothing of the feminine stars, succeeded in delighting a large audience at St. James Theatre last evening. “All Sorts,” the inimitable Mr. Wallace calls his company, and the versatility of the performers warrants that title. The acclamation accorded them, however, does not vary from one end of the programme to the other. It is, of course, the primary duty of a revue company to be funny, and if it is unable to convulse its audience it might as well move on. Although George Wallace is hailed as one of Australia’s best comedians, he does not forget to vary his excellent fooling with a few graceful ballets, and some of the good old songs which so well suit the voice of Marshall Crosby, who delighted last evening’s audience with “Friend of Mine,” and other well known numbers. Two excellent numbers are also chosen by Marie Wyman, whose vocal efforts are well supported by a pair of twinkling feet. The two Dudleys give the audience ten minutes’ concentrated fun, their ci-oss-talk being really well put over. This happy partnership is also productive of some j.\od dancing, and a little bright singing. Two sketches, both written by the head of the company, form the basis of an abundance of hilarious foolery, in which Mr. Wallace is ably supported by Jim Romaine and other members of the company. “Night Lights” finds George Wallace in the role of the silly policeman, who is an ignorant party to nefarious deeds planned by as illfavoured a set of rascals as one could wish for. The second sketch. “The Oojah Bird,” carries an Oriental flavour, and gives the Six Rascals an Dportunity to figure in some pleasing Eastern dances. George Wallace appears as just plain Horace, and is a riot of hilarity. Early in the programme Mr. Wallace carries off the honours of the show with “Ethel,” written by himself. Though it is difficult to discriminate in a well balanced programme, this number, which includes some bewildering step-dancing, calls for special mention. The jazz band is in good form, the soloists being particularly well received. The ballet trips on and off in an amazing number of custumes. Its greatest success was in a springtime dance, which recalled days before ballets dealt exclusivley in music culled from Tin Pan Alley. The whole show is written and produced by George Wallace. Ivy Moyle trains the ballets, and Bert Tucker officiates as stage manager.