Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Monday 5 December 1949, page 18


Suburban variety

theatre opens

THE Plaza Theatre, Northcote-a film house

for 16 years-has been transformed into a variety theatre to become the only 100% live artist show in the Melbourne suburbs.

Under the title of "Fun and Games," a fast-moving, well-mounted revue, fea-turing many good indi-vidual acts, was presented before packed houses on both Friday and Saturday.

A. R. (Dick) Harwood, for-merly a film producer and pic-ture theatre manager, who is director of production, is pin-ning his faith in a big revival of the live stage. Managing director is L. O. Menck.

Remodelled

The modern, streamlined theatre has been completely remodelled backstage to pro-vide the facilities for stage pro-ductions. Its seating capacity is 1,375.

Outstanding acts in a smoothly run show, presided over by comedians Al Mack and Len Rich to the music of Horrie

Dargie and his band, were the Leotards (European acrobats), the Halroy Brothers (trick cyc-lists), Bruce Harvey (with his rhythmical spoons), June Mar-lowe, and the Plaza Ballet.

The programme will be changed fortnightly.

A forceful and ironic climax is the only arresting feature of "The Lady Asks for Help," by James Parish, at the National

Theatre.

This play about a jealous hus-band who inadvertently kills his wife's near-lover, and who waits for more than two acts in fear of being arrested, lacks the intended suspense quality because of too much repetitious dialogue, too little action, and too slow a pace.

John Sandford, as the hus-band, and June Clyne, as the steadfast wife, played in a modulated and precise elocu-tionary manner which rarely whipped up the nervous strain which the playwright had in

mind.