A BRIGHT REVUE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 May 1938, Page 5

A BRIGHT REVUE

CONNORS AND PAUL COMPANY POPULAR PERFORMANCE AT THE REGENT George Robey, grand old man of the musie halls, said in his book, “I believe in honest vulgarity.” This contention was faithfully endorsed at the Regent Theatre last night when Connors and Paul presented their New Celebrity Revue. Australia’s Syd Beck, complete with baggy trousers and bowler hat, and his supporters appeared to have a gift for creating laughter and although many of their jokes were decidedly risque, they were put over well. Syd Beck was in good form and his patter and burlesque antics provided plenty of amusement Although the singing in the show was for the most part poor, being made more so through the use of a microphone, the ballets were good and there was a fine array of specialty artists. After the opening chorus, Mike McCormick started the ball rolling with some high pressure tap dancing. An effective cameo with ballet dancing to the strains of Strauss’s “Blue Danube” Waltz served to introduce two adaigo dancers, who, then, and also later in the evening, found great pleasure in hurling each other about the stage. Davendo, a gentleman who did not appear to have a bone in his body, tied himself into some terrifying knots, which with apparent ease, he happily managed to undo. Warmly applauded were the Seven Flying Elmars, a group of whirling wonders who gave a remarkably clever acrobatic performance. Especially popular with the audience was the youngest member of the troupe, a little girl, who spun across the stage with startling velocity. Another fine combination, the Four K’s consisted of four versatile young ladies who made music with a variety of instruments, and sang a little. Concerted piano-accordion selections, a wellexecuted ’cello solo and a snappy pianoforte trio were features of their act. Queenie Paul and Mike Connors, old vaudeville favourites were effective in a vocal duet while the former also sang a number of popular solos. There were some novel and well-staged ensembles, in which the girls of the ballet appeared sometimes in flowing gowns, but more often in a little less. Madame Paulette appeared in a gracefullyexecuted fan dance. Both costumes and dancing were appealing in the “Old Man River” cameo and again in the “I’m Falling In Love With Someone” sequence, which featured Queenie Paul, as soloist. The ballet girls are worthy of commendation for their efforts, and Miss Paul should be congratulated on the manner in which the various settings were arranged with a view to pleasing colour schemes both in frocking and background. Ern Beacham’s orchestra kept things going with a swing. Although the audience was not large, it showed its appreciation of the programme presented by applauding freely throughout the evening.