EMELIE POLINI SEASON.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17806, 4 July 1923, Page 9

EMELIE POLINI SEASON.

BOX PLANS OPEN TO-DAY. This morning at The Bristol Piano Co. will be opened the box plans for the first six nights of the Emelie Polini season, when will be presented "My Lady's Dress." Misa Eimelie Polini is undoubtedly one of tho most distinguished dramatic actresses to ever visit Christchurch, and her re-appearna.ee in. this city after a long absense has been eagerly expected.. That she is an artist of unusual skill, there is no denying. There is no celebrity on the Australian stage whose fame is so well established aa Miss Emelie Polini's. The greatest writers have sung her praises; one prominent critic remarking that she wa3 "one of tho greatest artists the Australian stage had. ever seen." Of this fine artist the critic of the Sydney "Sun" writes:—"The secret of her success cannot be written in, mere words —it springs from that indefinable something whioh we are usually pleased to term genius.' " It is inherent in her every fibre, and as impossible to control as is the involuntary pulsing of the human heart. Her's is a mission of feeling—of feeling as spontaneous as is the song of the birds in unshine. Sho feels, she can feel, with her .heart as well as soul. She .holds her audience firmly in tho hollow of a diminutivo palm, and hers' is the conquest over tears and laughter; her's the privilege one moment, to confer a boon of uncontrollable'merriment; the next, to fire with the rising inflection of passion; or again, to subdue with the force of unutterable pathos. This is her power, and this is why Emelie Polini is great. Superb as she is in the higher flights of tragedy, this stage has never perhaps seen a sweeter impressionist of the drama. She is unique in that she is both a'comedienne and a tragedienne. Unique in that she connects the very positive and negative poles of her art, and from that electrical contact emits the flame of a new and positively distinctive genius. In every line she speaks, just as in her every gesture, there is that true to life touch that bears the stamp of 'genius.' She does not act a part—she is the pulsating personification of the character she presents." Associated with Miss Polini prominently is Mr Frank The gifted principals are supported by one of tl\o best dramatic organisations the J. C. Williamson directors have ever brought together.