COMING BACK

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1034, 26 July 1930, Page 24

COMING BACK

Vaudeville in England Receives Royal Support Vaudeville is reported to be coming back into public favour in London, where a quickening interest in variety performances has been noticed in the increased attendances in the metropolis and the provinces at variety shows. The Royal Variety Performers recently broadcast a vaudeville programme, and listeners began to realise what they had been missing. The London “Daily Mail” comments that it is now being recognised that flesh-and-blood performances by artists possessing talent and personality to as great a degree as many of the famous stars of bygone days are no longer to be wasted. Now the appreciation of the King and Queen has led the way toward an all-round revival of variety. Prices are as reasonable as, and in many cases more so than, those charged for imported film productions. Their Majesties attended the London Palladium when a variety entertainment was presented, the sum of £3,000 being realised for the Variety Artists’ Benevolent Fund. George Clarke, with his comical motor sketch; Gillie Potter, patter comedian; and Will Hay in a schoolmaster sketch, particularly appealed to the regal patrons, while the delightful work of the Palladium Girls, in perfect unison; the antics of the india-rubber-legged Mac Wall; the thrilling acrobatic dancing of Howell, Harger and Naldi; and the burlesque acrobatics of Nervo and Knox kept a crowded audience amused to the end. The entire company, in costume, sang the National Anthem on the stage.