Review: "PALACES OF VARIETY". Johnny Pace with Michael J Coomes at the piano, School Of Arts Cafe, May 1996. Reviewed by TONY MAGEE

This guy is good! With one of those 'I know that name' names and 'I know that face' faces, Johnny Pace brings to the Canberra region something which many of us are already very familiar with - the fine traditions of Music Hall.

This show, in three acts, is on the whole well constructed, expertly narrated and very well performed and has in fact been written especially for the School of Arts Cafe.

Act one deals with the songs made famous through the tradition of Music Hall from its beginnings in 1865 to its demise sometime in the middle of this century. Boiled Beef and Carrots and I'm Henry the Eighth I Am (brought in by Harry Champion) are featured, along with The Man Who Broke The Bank At Montecarlo and Champagne Charlie (originally delivered to audiences by George Leybourne) and many other fine songs.

Also included, is a wonderful version of Burlington Bertie, rendered this time by a male performer, the clever twist being that originally the song was delivered by male impersonators.

One very endearing aspect of this show is how costume changes and makeup are all included as part of the act and indeed the set. Watching Mr Pace transform from one character to another is a fascination in itself, although the real characterizations do come from the performers own excellent acting skills and experience.

Act two deals with selected British musical comedy stars - creditable impressions of Stanley Holloway, Robb Wilton, Bud Flanagan (Underneath the Arches) and Dickie Henderson (whom Mr Pace regards as a major influence) and wonderful performances of George Formby and Max Miller.

The only glitch for me in this show was a rather cheap rendering of Sammy Davis Junior at the beginning of act three. Not that there is anything sacrosanct about impersonating Mr Davis, it's just that this one really isn't done very well and brings the whole show down to 'prawn morning' level fairly quickly. Why this had to be included I can't imagine. Mr Pace's forte is English musical comedy. It's a bit like the opera stars who suddenly decide they're going to release a jazz album. Thankfully, it passed and we returned to a more elevated performance, the show finishing with a very clever song called How To Finish A Cabaret, which Mr Pace milked for all it was worth - and then some!

Palaces of Variety really is a great act, and with some fine tuning should mature into an excellent one.

First published in Muse Magazine (Canberra), June 1996