A NIGHT OF FUN

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10307, 17 January 1927, Page 2

A NIGHT OF FUN

HIGH-CLASS AT : OPERA HOUSE

HUMPHREY BISHOP MUSICAL COMEDY COMPANY

For nearly three hours on Saturday evening an enthusiastic audience was entertained to the lull by that well-known band of merrymakers, the Humphrey Bishop Musical Comedy Company. It is seldom . such high-class companies come to Gisborne, but Mi' Bishop knew his audiences through his visit some two and a-half years ago —and the Gisborne public knew the Company. The crowded house on Saturday night was but a natural result, and needless to say the audience enjoyed every minute of the bill. Throughout the night recalls were demanded but in only a few instances could these. be respbnded to, owing to the length of the programme. The company is a combination of high-class performers, trained by a master artist, who is' also a master musician—Mr Bishop. Every act is good, from the novel opening to the uproarious finale. The settings are artistic, never overdone and never gaudy; the lighting is in keeping with the acts, and one turn succeeds another with' lightning-like rapidity. The combination was introduced individually to the audience in a vocal solo by Mr Bishop, and thereafter a well-diversified programme was gone through. Thelma Trott has a glorious soprano voice which was used to advantage in her solo numbers “In the Garden of Your Heart” and “We Never Miss the Sunshine”. With John Montfort, Miss Trott was also successful in the duet “At the End of the Sunset Trail”. A rag-time ensemble “Stanley Bay” gave two of the dancers of th» company, Dorothy Ryder and Alan Kitson, full scope for their capabilities. Dorothy Ryder later showed she is a possessor of an excellent voice in her number “The Old Lake' Trail” assisted by four male members of the company. A’an Kitson was also very popular with his solo “Any Girl From Anywhere” in which lour girls assisted in Ids'success, and Mark Leslie and Elaine Mayo attired in Dutch costume sang the popular “Oh Katarina” concluding with a typical national dance cleverly executed. Fred Webber and Dorothy Ryder added to the enjoyment of the night with a vocal and instrumental act, and' Mr Wcb'ter continued with an exceedingly clever piano and cornetist number the latter of which, with its variations of a well-known popular song caused roars of laughter. Mane Landon and John Montfort were heard in a Killarney number and “I’d Climb tile Highest Mountain”. Miss Landon also addl to her popularity in duets with Mark Leslie “Poor Papa”, “Too Many Parties” and “That Certain Party”. Mr Leslie’s serious monologue in the second number was me of the features of the evening. falter Kingsley, the well-known baritone, was accorded a warm welcome on his appearance on the stage. He was in excellent voice and his solo number “Lolita” was followed by a storm of applause, the encore being the dashing song “The Sergeant-Major on Parade”. Mr Kingsley also scored in the novel song scene, “Nile Nights” set in a typical Egyptian atmosphere, with dances in national costume.

The first portion concluded with the finale from “Carmen” in which Walter Kingsley sang “The Toreador” with a dash and vim that raised a storm of applause, and Doro- • Ryder and Alan Kitson danced a tango, the whole number being one jf the features of the programme. The company is very strong on the humorous side, which undoubtedly adds very largely to its success. George Ross was the chief .funmaker, and his appearance on the stage caused roars of laughter on each occasion. A comedy interlude with Charles Albert and Dan Flood dealing with life on a submarine was exceedingly humorous, and assisted by Fred Webber, Mr Ross added to his success in the comedy number “Lighthouses” which incidentally depicted his. skill as a pianist. Later the audience was given further demonstration of Mr Ross as a musician, when he told, with musical accompaniment, of a concert given amongst cowboys. Charles Albert as the typical Dame, convulsed the audience with a song on “Husbands” in which the droll patter added further to the amusement. Dan Flood, in addition to his qualifications as a comedian is a skilled monologist, opening with a humorous number “Gardening Ills” and contributing as an encore a more serious number “Don’t Forget’’. In tbo second portion Mr Flood sang, to the intense enjoyment of the aud;enco. “Fm Not Supposed to Be All There.” The entertainment concluded with •m uproarious musical comedietta, “Arcadee” in which life in . Arcady vas depicted under humorous- circumstances by George Ross and Charles Albert, assisted by the company. The orchestral accompaniments veupied a prominent and most popular part of the programme, with Mr” Bishop as conductor, Doris Pretty pianist, and Billy Barry as jazz drummer.

Tho same programme will be presented to-night, and in view of the crowded house on Saturday, intend--1 no- patrons in their own interests are advised to hook seats at Tatter--11 and Bayly’s. To-morrow night the programme will he changed, and •i. third change will he made on Thursday, the final night of the season.