“MRS. O’BRAIN’S BOY”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 695, 21 June 1929, Page 17

“MRS. O’BRAIN’S BOY”

FRANK COMES TO TOWN REVUE SEASON OPENS “Mrs. O’Brian’s boy Frank,” and his jolly, revelling band of revue artists, made their first joyous bow to an Auckland audience last evening at St. James Theatre, and their reception was so ardently cordial that it seems as if many weeks must pass before their welcome is outworn. Frank O’Brian and his company do just what other revue companies have been doing, say, during the past year, and yet there is absolutely nothing derivative in their work. It has freshness, vitality, and that very necessary degree of dash which makes a showswing brightly along. Dancing, singing, cross-talk, jazz music and sketches —these are the elements blended together delightfully in “Hello, Auckland,” as this initial production is named. “Hello, Auckland,” is really an appetite whetter. The audience gains glimpses of the abilities of a talented company, and each week, no doubt, many of the same people will return to the theatre just to see what is the latest in gags and music. Mrs. O’Brian’s boy has given his assurance that he will work hard enough to keep everybody satisfied.

The comedian, as everybody knows, is the key-stone of a revue company. If he is strong, the show is partially made, but if he is not strong the result may easily be disastrous.

The Revellers, however, are fortunate in having such a comic leader as O’Brian. Here is a man whose comedy methods are quiet, yet effective. He never has to strain to get his results, but scarcely any time elapsed before he gains contact with audience, finds the wave-length, as it were. But that, again, is only another way of saying that he is a clever artist. The first glimpse of him shows him as a very drunk, but amusing, bachelor on the night before his wedding.

Then he joins the navy, and later again appears as Mr. ’Obbs, who certainly was not the “sunshine of her alley.” Versatility, brightness and original- | ity mark all his turns from singing to ! dancing. Work with a startling new flavour is done by Miss Janice Hart, a spirited woman principal. Her voice is full and rich, and she has a liberal personal ration of the mysterious “It.” Personality is the key to her success, and whether singing or dancing, she “gets across” all the time she is on the stage. A pleasant singer, and easy to look upon, Miss Marie Ward appears in two or three good solo numbers. Bert Lee, the strongest male singer, has a good humorous turn in his light numbers, and the juvenile singing is done pleasantly by Gordon Xorville. A revuo company, constituted in the way now favoured, must have a jazz band and a ballet or beauty chorus. Describing “The Versatile ICight,” there is difficulty in curbing a lyrical pen. For here are charming specimens of girlhood, lissome and lightfooted. and sweet-voiced. Tiny Douglas's “Varsity Boys” showed that they could play jazz as it should be played. How feet tapped unconsciously while their rhythms rose and fell! The excellent show will be repeated this evenine-

The long deferred production of “Behind That Curtain,” Earl Dorr Biggers’ latest mystery thriller, is now in the final stages of preparation at the Fox Studios. The first scene has just been shot. This will be a Movietone feature under the direction of Irving Cummings. Warner Baxter, who was directed by Cummings and Raoul Walsh in the first out-door alltalker is the star.