BRIGHT AND CLEVER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 June 1939, Page 5

BRIGHT AND CLEVER

YOUNG AUSTRALIANS BAND AND REVUE. MANY TALENTED PERFORMERS. A particularly bright and entertaining programme of an excellent standard was presented in the Masterton Opera House last night by the Young Australians Band and Revue. When it is remembered that with the exception of two boys, who are 18, the performers’ ages range from 8 to 16 years, the talent’displayed is amazing. The company contains a notable combination ol clever entertainers, who are well worth seeing. The programme presented is a generous one and contains a wide variety of music, song and story. A prominent figure is the 14-year-old conductor and dancer, Charles Stanton who attains a professional standard in his conducting of the band. Incidentally, when he was seven years old, he was the drum-major who led the pageant parage over the Sydney Harbour Bridge when it was opened —the first citizen of Australia to' cross the bridge after it had been officially opened. As a conductor, his control of the band is nothing short of marvellous. The band itself is a notable combination, which includes piano-accordions, xylophones, Spanish guitars, trumpets, drums, etc. Right on the mark, its playing last night was snappy and tuneful.

Another outstanding item, is the clever female impersonations of Colin Croft, who, as Mae West, made it difficult to imagine that it was not the film star in person. His work is brilliant.

The principal comedian. George Nichols, kept the audience .in fits of laughter while he was on the stage. He is a master of the art of being funny with every action, and his impersonations are extremely clever. George Nichols was the principal character in several very amusing sketches. Some indication of the great variety of the entertainment may be gathered from the fact that other contributors include i) clever piano-accordionist. Les Waterhouse; a brilliant dancer and comedian. Ron Morris; a trio of xylophonists; a gifted young violinist, Keith Withers; Victoria’s champion boy cornettist-. Neil Webb; an eleven-year-old soprano soloist, Ivan Lawson, a little chap who has a voice of great purity; an eight-year-old xylophonist, Paul Pollard, and many others. Mr. Edward Marie, tour manager, who thanked the public for its patron age. stated that the average age of the performers was 14. Included in the company were three New Zealand boys, A. Workman, A. Lawson and M. Dickson, who were being taken on the New Zealand tour and possibly overseas. A complete change of programme would be presented tonight. Mr. Marie also thanked business firms for what they had done to assist the boys. Patrons will be well advised to book their scats for tonight’s performance. After midday, seats may be booked at the Opera House. ___