14 MAY 1942, Page 11

THE THEATRE

I Top." Revue by Herbert Farjeon. At His Majesty's Theatre.

CoCHRAN's new revue is not likely to be acclaimed by his rs as one of his best, although there are good things in it, he has some very versatile and accomplished principals who the best use of what is only too often extremely scanty material. is correct showmanship in a revue not to waste your best items the beginning, but in Scene 4 Miss Beatrice Lillie contrives by virtuosity of acting to enliven us with a Bird Song, in ch she gets very little help either from the words or the music. throUgh the show, indeed, she comes to the rescue from time ume, but it is not until after the interval in Scene 18 Madame ier, and, above all, in Scene 20 The Lady in Grey, that has a real chance to do herself justice. Only in this latter can be said to owe anything to her collaborators in the scene. lly good in her own way is Miss Patricia Burke, who brings a personal note into her singing, acting and dancing, giving them distinction not often found on the variety stage ; but she again very little material worthy of her ; The Ghost of an Old Chorus bore, chiefly because after a good beginning the " atmosphere " lost ; When I Hear Music is more successful.. Even worse ed are Fred Emney and Cyril Ritchard, although the latter has takes one real chance in a sketch by Reginald Beckwith, Sub , which is both original and amusing. Mr. Beckwith also to provide the funniest item of the evening in Vin Extra- re. What drags the revue down is the dead weight of scenes Coupon Strip Tease, Wedding Reception, and All Star Quartette, the only good thing in South American Way is Yoma's dance music of unusual effectiveness. Some of Doris Zinkeisen's dresses good, and there is one fine Paris street scene by Rex Whistler. en as a whole, it is an enjoyable show, but one feels that might have been so much better with a little more critical