“FUNZ=A=POPPIN”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 August 1939, Page 2

“FUNZ=A=POPPIN”

AN ALL-AMERICAN REVUE.

The “Funz-a-Poppin” Company will appear in the Regent Theatre on Tuesday. The chief attraction of the show is the “show within the show,” Salici’s Parisian puppets. Included in this puppet entertainment is a Neapolitan scene, with "men” and realistic effects. This forms the back ground for a remarkable performance by swing dancers, butterfly dancers, clowns, acrobats, and singers; and the marionette that smokes is sheer magic. Harry Ross and Eddie Edwards, the brilliant comedians, are typical American performers, and till coming to Australia and New Zealand had not played outside the United States. They have worked with Rudy Vallee in his radio programme in New York, and with Kate Smith over the Columbia and the National Broadcasting systems. Performers must be stars before they can be included in these programmes. They played for five consecutive years in the Paramount public theatres, and have appeared in pictures. Years ago they worked with Mary Pickford in a Xaudevillc act. Alexander Gerber, producer of “Funz-a-Poppin,” is the man who wrote plays and composed songs for Eddie Cantor, Al Jolson, and FannyBrice, Mr Gerber’s song "Funz-a-Pop-pin,” was especially written for this show. The Van twins, dainty dancers, know their art well, and Jack Bickel’s eccentric dancing displays are well worth seeing. A charming entertainer with a sweet voice is Elsa Lang, who receives good support from her partner. Murray Green. Loretta Grey gives a lively- air to the show. There is a splendid ballet of American girls. A feature which should appeal to all is the clever act of the Car brothers, foot and hand balancers, whose agility and strength are amazing. Others appearing are Bobby Morris, recently in Wellington with the Hollywood Revue; Tommy (“Bozo”) Snyder, noted broadcasting pantomime comedian; Dorothy Holbrook, leading dancer with the Twelve Dancing Debutantes, celebrated dance team from the New York Radio City music hall; Elsa Hoskins, and Keith Connolly. The orchestra, under Joseph Clauser, is an asset to “Funz-a-Poppin,” which is a startling show produced on spectacular lines. The box plans are now open and rapidly filling at Nimmos where seats can be booked for either the matinee or night performance.