Pics from the Past | Apex-tacular: Laugh-out loud with Shepparton’s Apex Antics

By Geoff Allemand

Aug 31, 2024

*Apex Antics at the Parthenon in 1950. Photo: Shepparton Heritage Centre* Photo by Contributed

See last week’s Pics from the Past for the history of the Shepparton Apex Club. The Apex Antics mentioned deserved more space for some photos and newspaper articles of their ‘revues’ over the years.

COMEDY RIOT AT APEX ANTICS

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Advertised as “Apex Antics”, a revue will be presented at the Star Theatre on Wednesday next by the Shepparton Apex Club. The “all-star” cast is expected to attract a record crowd, and the funds of the Mooroopna Base Hospital will benefit from the proceeds. Apexians have formed a ballet that will prove a sensational item and will be supported by the unsuspected talent of Roy Quill in the character of George Formby, the second. A Russian burlesque by Bert Lightfoot and Mollie Hill with violin accompaniment by Jean Taylor will be followed by stage presentations by the pupils of Miss Close. The program includes vocal items by Betty Jenkins of 3SR and Mr Hildebrand, as well as a comedy team with Vern Haycroft, Bert Lightfoot, Bill Bremner and Harry Johnston. Bookings have been opened at the Lyric Music Salon, Maude St, and fun seekers are advised to secure their favoured positions early. (Source: Shepparton Advertiser, 1940).

APEX ANTICS REVUE

A lively and varied program will be presented in the sparkling revue, “Apex Antics”, which will be presented at the Star on Tuesday and Wednesday nights next week. Items by the Aboriginal singing group, which will include plantation melodies, solos and hill-billy numbers, the Apex Beauty Ballet in their “Dance of the Fluttering Flutter flies”, six well-trained ballets of Mrs Thomas’ pupils, and the first Shepparton presentation of “Can You Take It” will be interspersed with some particularly snappy sketches, in which the inimitable Bill Bremner and Bert Lightfoot take leading parts? (Source: Shepparton Advertiser, 1947).

*Apex Antics, Song of the Islands, 1956. Photo: Shepparton Heritage Centre* Photo by Contributed

APEX ANTICS - SID CURTIS REALLY IS A FUNNY MAN

In every show, there is a star, and the star of Apex Antics last week was Sidney Curtis. Sid Curtis completely won the admiration of the audience with his handling of a burlesque skit, “The Lobby Number”. The ovation clearly indicated the audience wanted more, but they were disappointed because such an act takes time and effort to achieve such a professional standard. Sidney Curtis is capable of producing any number of similar acts with help and confidence. He modestly told me he copied words of “The Lobby Number’’ from a recording, “but”, he added, “with an excellent musical allurement, it seemed okay”. The audience thought so too, because he unwittingly acquired a near-perfect impersonation of Danny Kaye’s style and technique.

It is a pity Sidney does not strive for more honours because if this 25-year-old artist can produce a good act under such conditions, he would undoubtedly be successful in a professional field with concentrated effort, guidance and confidence. Asked if he had thought of entering this field, Sidney said, “I have thought of it, and if I had the right opportunity, I would probably take it. “My friends and fiancée tell me I am good, but am I?” he asked. Sidney is good. His performance in Apex Antics in the last two years, besides his singing with a local dance band, substantiates this. He led this year’s Apex Antics to success. Produced by Bert Lightfoot, Apex Antics this year was their best performance. The first part of the program was hilarious, as it was meant to be. The second half was especially colourful and varied, with the acts showing a lot of individual talent. Proceeds from the concert will aid Legacy. (Source: Shepparton Advertiser, 1952).

Geoff Allemand is an amateur photographer and Lost Shepparton Facebook page admin. Please share your Pics from the Past at pastpics@mmg.com.au