Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), Monday 7 April 1941, page 4


SPARKLING REVUE

Talent Contributes To

War Funds

By "Scrutator"

A bright variety show was presented on Saturday at the Theatre Royal Hobart by the patriotic committee of the Tasmanian branch of the Australian Broadcasting Commission. The house was full and Lady Clark's Red Cross Appeal Fund and the Comforts Fund benefited sub-

stantially. The show was produced by Laurier Lange and the go-as-you-please programme unfolded continuous surprise.

Opening on a popular patriotic note with the Returned Soldiers Junior Memorial bandsmen and Tom Hopkins in "There'll Always Be An England," it concluded with "Wings Over the Navy," led by the Tas-

manían Wireless Chorus and the full strength of the company. The chorus took a prom inent part with varying degrees of accept ance in the proceedings. Artistically ac-companying sotto voce the "Waltz Ballet" delightfully given by Beattie Jordan's dan-cers it blended less happily with the Plan-tation Scene in which Frank Purchas, Stan Bignell and Kathleen Hay appeared. The commission's Light Orchestra, conducted by Clive Douglas, maintained an agreeable back ground, especially that joined to Leslie Chester's solo playing of Colin's "Serbian

Dance."

Diana Du Cane sang "Love will find a way," "O Sweet Mystery of Life," "Indian Love Call," "My Sweet Little Alice Blue Gown" and "Danny Boy." Freda Elliott charmingly sang "Sweetheart" from "May Time." With smoothness the revue alternat ed between such artistry and burlesque. Keith Jarvis and Milton Driscoll convulsed the audience by their costume character roles heightened by topical allusions. The gaiety was increased by the antics of Nelson Oliver, Fred Turner, Percy Partington, Jack Checcucci, W. Williamson and Milton Dris

coll in their burlesque. The Harmony Singers, Keith Semple, Clem Clifford, Jack Carter and Harry Foster, were heard to ad vantage and an "Appalling Quartet" com posed of Keith Jarvis, Milton Driscoll, Frank Purchas and Eric John were in lighter vein. Ingeniously acted charades kept the audience successfully guessing. In these Claire Mit-

chell, Stanley Wells and Don Sharp, with others, joined in the fun. Claire Mitchell's   vivacity and versatility enlivened also the old time" Bellowdrama" "The Mortgage on the Mill." To many, Linus Donnelly's ver   sion of "On Our Selection," was the high light of the entertainment. Donnelly as Dad, Dagmar Goddard Mum, Junee Cornell Mabel, Milton Driscoll Dave, and Don Sharp as the cow, brilliantly expressed the mingled crudity and sophistication of the skit. An over-prolonged "Hill Billy" and cabaret swing band session was not a crisp ending.

Swing-Billy bandsmen and cabaret operators were Rex Withers-Green, Ian Pearce, Ted Evans, Lindsay Totham, Arthur Midson, Yvonne Richardson and Roy Black well. Dancers who contributed to the "One Night of Variety" were Nancy Wilson, She lagh Keating, Mona Miekle, Peggy Millar, Mary Lowe, Shirley Bennison, Betty Russell and Betty Benjamin. Piano accompani-ments were played by Frank McCann.