FELL THROUGH THE DRUM

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 900, 18 February 1930, Page 1

FELL THROUGH THE DRUM

COMEDIAN TELLS OF FIRST APPEARANCE ERNIE LOTINGA ARRIVES The biggest laugh Ernie Lotinga ever got in his life was when he fell from the stage through the drum in the orchestra. That was the night he seriously set out to be one of London's comedians. But it was purely accidental. However, the house roared and the manager was extremely pleased. He complained the following night that Mr. Lotinga had not completed his turn. “I explained to him, as nicely as I could, that 1 was only getting £3 a week and the new drum cost 255,” said Mr. Lotinga, on the Ulimaroa this morning. The little London comedian arrived from Sydney this morning with his company and will play a season of burlesque-comedy at His Majesty's Theatre, opening on Saturday evening. He started his career, much against the wishes of his parents, though this has been said before, as a comic singer doing charity concerts at the. mission halls in London. Then he went to smoke concerts under engagement and to the accompaniment of much parental opposition. Mr. Lotinga appeared in the first short talkie w)iich was ever made in England and at the end of his season in New Zealand he will return to the Gaumont people to make some more. He has played in pantomime, musical comedy and for the last eight years in burlesque. Kathleen Barbor, who is leading lady in the company, has done a good deal of work in musical comedy. She appeared in "Cheer Boys, Cheer,” “Baby Mine” and “The Outcasts.” For the last few years she has been appearing with Mr. Lotinga’s company.