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?╟≤ LM AFTZR iQwfcAi THE ONLY TIME A COLUMNIST SHOULD BE AFRAID IS AT THAT MOMENT HE BEGINS TO WRITE WHAT OTHERS WANT TO HEAR AND NOT WHAT HE FEELS. ***** MAXI REVIEW . . . Chances are you have never seen a storm at sea or have never been in a shipwreck. More than likely, you have never been in a helicopter nor have seen a city from one. And, in all probability, you have never seen a den of iniquity burn, or, for that matter, have never even SEEN one. Well, you can experience them all in one "fell swoop" in the newly opened 9th edition of the "Lido de Paris...Pourquoi Pas?" (In English? .. . "Why Not?") at the Stardust Hotel. MR. DONN ARDEN's genius in staging and special effects is without a doubt world reknown. We've seen much of his past work...and yet he manages to astonish audiences with even more spectacular effects with each show. And in the "Lido" he proves that bigger and better ones can ALWAYS be done on stage. The production numbers range from good to excellent .. . The acts range from dull to fantastic. The opening "La Nuit Est A Nous" is good . . . good music, good costumes . . # and though this particular concept for an opening number is not different from others we've seen, it is well performed by the cast. Very effective is the mirrored ballroom section. Immediately after the opening are the credits . . . slightly confusing. One gets the impression that the whole spectacle with the credits following is presenting RUDY CARDENAS, the first act. It is really a very dull juggling act, that has been in every big show in town . . . perhaps once too often. As many times as he has been seen, his act hasn't changed an iota (including music and wardrobe). There are too The show immediately drops with Mr. Cardenas and stays down with the next segment called "Musical Moods". The girl on ice...HEATHER BELBIN, the singing voices . . . TOM ALLISON'S and CHARLES GRAY's, whose able assistance still does not help. The number lacks, though the potential for an exciting production is definitely there. The first super-production of the show, "Symphony of the Sea", immediately brings the show back up. The fantastic production, which includes a shipwreck and a journey through the depths of the sea to the undersea Temple of Athena and the playground of the ancient Greek gods of Mt. Olympus, begins its first of four scenes in a Greek seaport, in which our only objection lies with the lead production singer, LES STEVENS ?╟÷ the fisherman ?╟÷ whose facial expression hasn't changed since the last "Lido" edition. (Glued there?) To be remembered from show to show for a good performance is great ... but to be remembered for the same plastered, egotistical countenance that is embarrassing to audiences is something else! Highly distracting. People all over, who are reading this and who are future audiencesr will be looking for the fisherman in scene one ?╟÷ now is the time to do something about it, Mr. Stevens. JILLIAN and RON WATSON are leally a delight to watch in the number as well as in the rest of the show. They work estremely well together, and look good together . . . They perform. The team is definitely an asset to "Pourquoi Pas?" ... They would be an asset to any show. The entire sea episode is a real ittention grabber (and keeper, for that matter. . . It would take quite a bit of will power tc pull your eyes from the stage.) THE VOLANTES ?╟÷ "Fun On Wheels" ?╟÷ who have been in other shows, as always, are entertaining, with their own braid of humor incorporated into some clever stunt- work. The age old game of cops and rollers ... on stage with a new twist ?╟÷ "The Theft of the Mona Lisa". Rooftops and helicopters ?╟÷ you've seen them in movies and on T.V., but we venture to say, until no^ never on stage. Donn Arden, who has done great things with earth (sandstorms), fire ind water, has expanded his creativity to include PaSeA the fourth element of air (besides and in addition to the famous Donn Arden pigeons, which are in this show too ?╟÷ in "Symphony of the Sea") with helicopters both on stage and over audience in hot pursuit of JENNIFER PIERSON ?╟÷ a rather stunning culprit. SIEGFRIED AND RQY entitle their most fascinating magic act "Surprise!" ?╟÷ and that it is! If you think magic is only slight of hand, you may just change your mind and really believe in magic. You leave the showroom still wondering where the h?╟÷ that tiger came from. The second super-production number, "Rhapsodie Espagnole", takes you "from the Sacred to the Profane" ?╟÷ from a gypsy fiesta and a wedding in scene oneto the Red Bordello in scene two. The bordello idea is not a new one and, in fact, is over-used in town, but especially well done in this show (and another attention grabber). The people responsible for the entire production looking so good are JILLIAN, RON WATSON, MARYA LINERO, and NICKY GORSKA. Actually, the entire cast is exceptional. It is the first time in the show that you can enjoy some really outstanding dancing. The groom (Ron Watson) is led astray from his bride (Nicky Gorska) by "The Woman" (Jillian). All the while the gypsy fortune teller (Marya Linero) foresees and forewarns of impending disaster. The story ends with the stage ablaze in the "Flaming Inferno". THE ARGENTINE DEVILS is a most unique and different type of act to be incorporated into such a show as the "Lido de Paris". It is rather strange to watch, in the eyes of American audiences, but very interesting. "Beware!" of DOMINIQUE ... and if you are in the audience, you SHOULD beware! He can literally steal the shirt offyourback (and he does...in about three seconds flatlX We've never had the pleasure of seeing this man work before. We are certainly glad that Las Vegas is fortunate enough to have him. What he does to ten men (volunteers from the audience) on stage and to one woman in the audience .... Well, we're not ones for giving away the plot ?╟÷ so we recommend you go see for yourself.... You even have a chance to volunteer! The finale, "London Is London", is far too short. It takes you from London past to London present and the Picadilly Circus. The set design by MICHAEL KNIGHT has got to be one of the most fantastic night club set designs we have ever seen ?╟÷ clever...original. The finale itself though is disappointing. So much more could happen with such a great set (the real star of the number), which, in terms of choreography, is not used to its full advantage. This is the ONLY time we have seen Donn Arden's staging be up-staged by a set. The combined efforts of producer FRANK SENNES and director DONN ARDEN have resulted in the new 9th edition of the "Lido de Paris, Pourquoi Pas?" that is far superior to the last edition in every way. Original music and lyrics by JIM HARBERTand J.P. LANDREAU....outstanding. And the finishing touch to the show is the costuming by FOLCO. Q. Should you see the "Lido de Paris"? A. "Pourquoi pas?" -- more specifically ?╟÷ Mais, oui!!! Sunday, April 26, 1970 Las Vegas Review-Journal 29 ?╟≤ BIT OF PARIS ?╟÷ Beautiful Bluebell dancer Nicky Gorska, new Las Vegas arrival from Paris, uses Eiffel Tower model to get in the mood for the Stardust Hotel's all-new "Lido de Paris" revue, "Pourquois Pas?" A glittering world premiere of the internationally renowned stage spectacular is scheduled for May 1. It's produced by Frank Sennes and directed and choreographed by Donn Arden