TONSORIAL HUMOUR

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 738, 10 August 1929, Page 17

TONSORIAL HUMOUR

FRANK O’BRIAN WIELDS RAZOR AND BRUSH

BALLET AND BURLESQUE

Ari unusually generous number of rollicking sketches and original dance numbers combined to make the latest programme at St. James one of tho best that the Frank O’Brian Company has yet put over. The irrepressible Frank was, of course, tho chief figure in every playette, and he reduced his audience almost to helplessness last evening with his hilarious behaviour as a barber. Brandishing his razor to the apparent clanger of his fellow artists and dabbing hero and there with a liberallysoaped shaving brush, the red-headed comedian worked in some clever patter. Tho sparkling monologue revolving round the mysterious but intriguing question of what Eve said to Adam was suspended, but there was plenty to take its place. A series of “old stories/’ acted instead of told, was very popular, and the poultry yard scene, with its poignant domestic drama, was one of the most novel ideas the company has attempted, and with the valuable aid of the ballet, it went over well. Tho ballet was, as usual, brilliant—splendidly dressed and excellently trained.

The girls started off with plenty of snap in “Carnival Time.” They flapped their wings to good purpose in the farmyard scene and made their next appearance with vivacious little Iris Gumbley in “Mine, All Mine.” Their star turn was “International Dances,” in which the ballet supported soloists and made lightning changes on the stage to appear in costume for a number of national dances.

Dancing and singing her sparkling way through the show came Janice Hart, a tireless leader for the feminine side of the company. She was supported in the singing by Marie Ward and May belle Morgan, Joe Hudson and Eric Masters sang a few numbers with great success, and also assisted Frank O’Brian to carry the burden of the comedy work, a task they shared with Ernie Brooks.

The band was in great form. Tiny Douglas and Zena Torrens were responsible for a haunting violin duet with “The Indian Love Call,” from “Rose Marie.” Ernie Brooks tumbled cleverly, and A 1 Batchelder’s hands scampered cleverly over the ivories. Most impressive of all was “The Bells of St. Mary’s.” The setting was not overdone, and Marie Ward, who sang the number, was very demure and appealing in a graceful crinoline and bonnet.