"THE CINEMA STAR"

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 31, 31 October 1917, Page 6

"THE CINEMA STAR"

BY THE ROYAL COMIC OPERA CO.

"The Cinema Star," a musical revue) comedy in three acts. Cast— Joßiah. Gluttcrbuok Phil Smith Victor de Brctte Eegtnald Eoherts "The Eolling Bionc" Clyde Cook Waiter Dick Shortland. Lord Olorenco Wentworth... Cyril Eiohards Freddy (an Old Actor) ... Tilliers Arnold: Crocker (His Friend) Alfred Andrew Constable H. Ratcliffe Cabby Alfred Andrew Billy _ Leslie Holland Phyllis _~.; Gladys Moncrieff Ciesie Minnie Loto Maud Jessie Caffyn Flower Woman Gladys Baker Mrs. Clutterbuclc Addio Leonard Louise _ Florence Young "The Cinema Star," gaily romped through by the Royal Comic Opera Company at the Grand Opera -House last evening, is classed as a niusical revue comedy, which rh'ay relieve some anxiety on the point of its classification. _ Tha meaning of the newest appellation is that it is a musical comedy on the loose— a giddy, inconsequential conglomeration of girlis, gags, and giggles in a highly picturesque and topical setting. There are several notably good pieces of char* acterijatipn, an occasional strain of melody, and a lot of very wonderful lancing of uncommon invention. "Tha Cinema Star" deserves 6uccess because of its unabated hilariousness—it is a swirling stream of love and laughter, with the still pook of sentiment

placed well apart. Its performance will be remembered chiefly through the brilliant eocentric dancing of Mr. Clyde Cook, whose astonishing coutortionistio steps, attitudes, and falls brace up the show as a specially of first-water quality.' Mr. Cook simply limps on as a porter, and later as a lamp-lighter, and with rhythm in his sole and elastic everywhere else, shows thai the human bodymay be used as a shuttlecock of the liveliest and most vimful fancy. The play itself concerns the varying fortunes 01 Josiah Clutterbuck, one of the twicemarried (Class '£), whose second trouble, is a battler for social reform and success. In order to obtain the latter she urges her bromide spouse to take up the former by denouncing the kineraa and all its ware. He lectures at the Albert Hall against the evil influence of pictures, and rouses the enmity of the film players, so that the "Princess of the Film" lays a' nice little trap for him by posing as a drop of Bnssian blue blood, and getting the little man iiilo the "movie" studio, where he is duly reeled as a very gay Lothario, rmiohto the horror and humiliation of the second Mrs. Clutterbuck. To show that picture playera. really hava hearts, a film hero, Victor le Brette, woos and wins ClutterbucVs pretty daughter and the quondam "Princess,' seeks consolation with the stuttering producer of'nameless moving horrors; while consolations are on Miss Minnie Love as • a picture actress. witTTa grand passion for dinners, consoles herself by Binging, with much art and sympathy, that maudlin ditty "A Broken Doll." Miss Florence Young, as virile and bracing in her methods as . ever, -stood out boldly as Louise, the "Princess" aforesaid, looking extraordinarily well, acting with enlivening conviction, and singing in' her usual taking style. Mr. Phil Smith cuts an odd little figure a» the susceptible Clutterbuck. His cherubic rotundity and acute sense of comic points made his the outstanding comedy performance of the piece. He scored a distinct success in the song, "Some Little Bug," a clevorly-writtcn song with a. baoillus basis, was very amusing in tha "Oh, Louisa" duet with Miss Young, and agoi* in the girl-set number "The Ragtime Dream." Mr. Reginald Roberts \a bright and debonair as Victor do Brette. whose chief duty is to ouddla tha chorus when the principals are not there fo be cuddled. As an exouse ior this habit he, with Miss Gladys Moocrieff, sings "Love's Dream"' in a lift that is suspended in mid-air, owing to a strike on the part of the electricians, and later follows his hunch in 'Gins, "Take Me Back to-Honolulu" (which 19 given a Waikiki and hula-girl setting), and "The Constant Lover." Phyllis Clutterbuck was very sweetly played and,' sung by Miss MoncnefF, whose voice has quality and distinction. She was concerned in the Honolulu ditties, the pretty "lift" duet, and in the last act sang "Spring's Awakening" with charming artistry. Miss Minnie Love as Cissie, with a yearning for nice dinners, acted with saucy insouciance and comic animation. One can only assume that Cissie's ruling passion for the platter' brought her to tha broken doll stage. Mrs. Clutterbuck was capably played by Miss Addie Lennard, and Miss Jessie Caffyn graced the picture girl part of Maud. Apart from the terpsichorean dressing that was given to nearly every number, the "Stop, Thief," dance gave Miss Maie Baifd the opportunity to«bow what a beautiful little dancer she if. Assisted by Mr. Leslie Holland (who was capital as the stuttering picture producer), Miss Baird flashed brilliantly in this clever conceit, and was rewarded with much Ms by the large and discriminating audience. The clothes worn by the ladies are dazzling in design and colour scheme, and without exception are smartly worn. Tho play is given a handsome setting, the middle act, a Byzantine interior, being a notable creation in Mr. Leslie Board's best style. The lighting effects were also a general aid to what must be set down as a fine production. Only one more performance of "The Cinema Star' 1 can ba given.

"THE MERRY WIDOW." To-morrow night tltore will be a revival of the popular musical play "Tho Merry Widow." the music of which will outlive most compositions of recent years On the present occasion the part of "The Merry Widow" will be presented by Miss Minnie Love, who has scored one of her greatest triumphs in this role. The character of Prince- Danilo -will be taken by Mr. Leslie Holland, and Mr. Phil Smith will appear as Baron Pojoft. Mr. Reginald Roberts, as de Jolidon. Mr. Clyde. Cook ns Niseh. and.. Miss Florence Young will take her original partj>t Natalie. On Friday night the company will make their final appearance here in "Tho Pink Lady." The plana are at the Bristol.