The Co-Optimists

The makers of this film have stuck a camera in the front row of the stalls and photographed what went on on the stage.There are 8 performers with Dave Burnaby acting as master of ceremonies.It is of historical interest as we can see what passed for entertainment in the west end in the late 20s.We have Stanley Holloway singing a ballad.He is photographed in medium shot sitting on a stile on the stage with another performer.No close up just the same performance from the same angle.There is one sketch with 2 comedians by a tea stall.The rest are a variety of songs which are catchy but unmemorable.Dave Burnaby comes out from behind a curtain bows to us the audience as if we were present and introduces the performer.Everyone being dressed in pierot costume.In one keatonesque moment he tells the ladies not to try to go around to the stage door to see the singer as he is up there in the box.His finger pointing at the camera and obviously referring to the projection box.By the way the print i viewed was stated to be incomplete.there were 5 reels lasting just around 50 minutes.It is a fair bet that the rest is missing,but at least we have something.