MUSIC AND LAUGHTER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 720, 20 July 1929, Page 14

MUSIC AND LAUGHTER

REVUE AT ST. JAMES 7 FRANK OBRIAN SEASON Entering; on its fifth week :it St. Jantos Thcuuc last evening. Frank O'Brian‘s company of Jig-vellcz-s (Lil--Lured another audience with its artistry and rioting juyousncss. A perfect combination. the company is able to provide \‘arind entertainment. but Whatever is placed before the audienc_e is dong- with u charm and orig}nullty unmatched in other zevuo comv punles. One always comes front thC‘ Show with the fut, Comfortable fueling that an evening has been Vor)‘ well spt‘nt. and further with the additional sensation that the nzuch—sung “blues" are: a long way off. The programme»,- inst evening was a clever compound of song, dance. slustvh and story, and Frank O‘Brian, of course. was the person l'csponsibl? tor nlost of the laughter. I'lis two conti—dential chats, one on the wiliness of Women. and the other on what live said to Adam, were both superlativu things of their kind. To keep an audience awake and laughing with

talk. alone is a, dimcult (out, us. lnusl honest, politicans will readily :Lclmit. The song, "Didn't It Happen." \rhivh was the sequel to the first of the discourses, was a brilliant effort.

)[ore comedy of a fascinatingly orig» inal kind was. done by Frank O'BriLm in association with Janice l-[arL The turn, labelled as “a song and dance specialty.” consisted of singing. cross—talk and a little‘ dancing. The main song‘ "Drizzle. Drizzle," was a superb effort, and the salted Chatter that accompanied it, was smart and mirth—provoking. Janice Hart‘s robust voice and principal boy manner has won her many friends, and each time she cam-:2 on the stage there was a. burst of anticipatory applause. “The Old Guitar" was attractively sung by her, and words of praise, too, must go to the Versatile Eight for their “shawl dance". which, colourful in itself, was in_addition. neatly executed.

Gordon Norville's pleasant voice was heard at its robust best in “Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella” and “Flappers By the Sea."

The sketches offered were snappy and diverting, particularly “The SPY..." which has a diverting climax. "The School-Room" was another in which gorgeous humour prevailed. Fyunk O’Brien) was very convincing and immensely diverting as the refraczory boy.

The Varsity Boys under “Tiny" Douglas. presented a. mixed programme) of music. There was jazz enough, and this was steadied up with a little seri—ous work. "In a Monastery Garden." there were many beautiful effects. and the complete performance showed‘ that the saxophone and its jazz companions can be turned to do graceful work. Once again the Versatile Eight proved their worth as dancers. Elegant in every movement, and melting with every smile. they give the final touch of brightness to an excellent ShO“'.