BEST GERALD REVUE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 807, 30 October 1929, Page 17

BEST GERALD REVUE

RIOTOUS HUMOUR AT ST. JAMES HAUNTED HOUSE AND CIRCUS Jim Gerald has produced his best revue to date in his fourth week of entertainment at St. James Theatre. Last evening the company scored a great success with "Barebacks,” the i newest and brightest programme. Wholesome, fresh humour abounded and the audience showed its keen approval of a programme which should : increase Jim’s popularity considerably. Just how readily new turns are accepted was shown in the second part of the programme, when the girls of the company, giving the audience an original insight into circus life, were engaged in a bright gymnastics display. There was really clever tumbling, j pyramid formations and acrobatics. The item was deservedly one of the most popular on the programme. Jim’s humour was infectious. In his present programme he is. seen as the quaking occupant, with Reg Haw- ' thorne, who also quakes, in a haunted house, a sleuth seeking a missing heiress, and as an Irishman singing a bright number, ‘’Paddy McGinty’s Goat.” Involuntarily the audience had a thrill at the eeriness of Jim's haunted house. Reg Hawthorne had a wager that he would stay among the ghosts for 24 hours and he persuaded Jim to stay with him. Linda Foy, Tom Dale and Howard Hall sing ’ll Xavaganti” excellentlv, and Ronnie Shanrl is again to the fore with his eccentric dancing. Joan Granam appears with Ron in a song and dance number. Lily Coburn is also prominent throughout the programme and her dancing last evening won her repeated applause. Letty Craydon is another talented dancer. Before the interval the company goes back to a former time and the "Minuet,” featuring Linda Loy, is danced gracefully in an exceptionallv attractive setting. The Fevue takes its name from the “Barebacks” revuette in the second half, when the entertainment sweeps up to a highly successful climax. In this half Jim Gerald and Reg Hawthorne combine successfully to give their snappy version of “Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Shean.” Throughout the half Jim tries to find an heiress. He does so nnd wins .£I.OOO. Linda Foy and Tom Dale sing ”1 ou Were Meant for Me.” and Essie Jennings "Am I Wasting My Time On You?” Other song numbers are "Lila” and “Crazy Fthythm.” The revuette was in three scenes—the property of a country squire, the outside of a circus and then the interior. Jim appears with his buffoonery in all three. The company achieves another success in the frocking of its ballet and the stage arrangements.