“HELLO POPEVE”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 August 1938, Page 2

“HELLO POPEVE”

FRANK NEIL’S REVUE. This afternoon at 3.30 o’clock and this evening at 8 o’clock at the Regent Theatre, J. C. Williamson Theatres will present Frank Neil’s Hollywood spectacular revenue “Hello Popeye,” the success of which in Auckland is without a precedent in that city. Although the booking is heavy there are still seats in either the dress circle or stalls which may be reesrved at the box office. Great interest centres in the appearance here of Mr Billy Costello, whose voice is the original voice of Popeye the Sailorman cartoons. The cartoons have helped to make Mr Costello’s name a household word in every English-speaking country, and his outstanding artistry in his stage performances has entitled him to a place among the greatest revue artists in America, England and Australia. It is said that Mr Costello is the highest paid vaudeville artist ever to be imported to Australia and New Zealand, but despite this fact Mr Frank Neil has surrounded him with the greatest aggregation of revue and vaudeville performers which has been organised for one production. Those who will be associated with Mr Costello are Sid Page, one of New York’s best and funniest comedians, who is assisted in his sketches and his specialty act by Peggy Earle and Ruth Rudie, both 'of whom are exceptionally fine comediennes and brilliant eccentric dancers. The celebrated Elite Trio hail from New York where they are regarded as the finest American ballroom Adagio dancers. Joey Porter will be remembered for his brilliant comedy proclivities, when he appeared here with one of Frank Neil’s previous companies. Mr Porter hails from the leading London music halls. Horrie Dargie is described as the wizard of the harmonica. Ritchie Brothers and Mavis present something unique in the art of tap-dancing, whilst the Kermonde Brothers provide thrills, and spills in a cleverly moulded athletic act, Miss Kay Zammit is the possessor of a soprano voice out of the ordinary, and Betty Lambert is a charming soubrette. There are some delightful dance scenas;