The Ada Delroy Company.

Hastings Standard, Issue 233, 29 January 1897, Page 2

The Ada Delroy Company.

It is not too much to say of this clever Company of artists "that for originality, bubbling wit, vim, and sparkling vivacity, their performance last night at the Princess Theatre could not be exceeded. Every item presented was fresh, and handled in an entirely original manner, altogether out of the es-ery-day groove of the common, or garden combinations, which pass muster for variety shows. He must, indeed, be a barctened eif r . mudgeon who could sit through a,performance like this without a smrif-; as it was the audience were in one constant ripple of laughter and enthusiasm from the rise to the fall of the curtain, and at the close of the'performance everyone left the Theatre more than satisfied with the bright, chaste programme provided. YVe do not profess to understand Madame Bells methods in thought reading, but she says herself that she lays no claim to any occult power, and it is only bare justice to lime. Bell to emphatically contradict a rumor going round to the effect that our reporter was acting in collusion with the company. There is absolutely no truth in the statement. A pianoforte overture by Mr Bert Phillips opened the programme, which was followed by a smart dialogue between Miss Delroy and Mr J. Bell, which was evervescing with fun, and put the audience in a thoroughly happy humor. Mr Bergen's rendering of •• The Village Blacksmith ' evoked an encore, to which he responded by singing " Vanity," in which his splendid baritone was more at home. Miss Delroy next claimed the attention of the house with two serio-comic songs and dances. This young lady possesses a most bewitching stage presence which she uses with admirable effect, and her dancing was beyond anything seen in the Australasian Colonies for some time. The grace and rhythm of her lightest gestures, together with the natural and perfect ease of her movements place her claim to be ranked in the van of her profession outside the region of doubt. Mr James Bell, in his " Senegambian oddities," kept the house in a roar. In this also was originality shown, almost all the usual stereotyped corner man nigger business was conspicuous by its"absence, and the result was refreshing. The first part of the entertainment concluded with an extravaganza brimming over with absurdities and convulsing situations which caused many a prosy old gentleman to laugh heartily. Messrs Phillips and Gilbert opened the second part with a piano duet which was well received, after which Miss Alice Simmons sang " Waiting." This lady possesses a clear, sympathetic soprano, but it was plainly evident that she was suffering from the effects of a heavy cold which placed her at a great disadvantage. But her audience insisted 011 her reappearance, and she gracefully responded with "The WoodnymphsCall." As a farcical contortionist, Mr Teddy Ford, to use a colloquialism, ''annexes the. pie." The audience at times felt alarmed at the manner his mouth rambled oil' 011 excursions over his face and down the back of his neck, fearing it might forget to come back or get lost, or something. It was a re-' lief, when he bowed his acknowledgi ments to the liberal Applause, to see it ! occupied its orthodox position. Miss Delroy dances well, because she can't help it. Home say she could dance ! before she was able to walk, but that statement must be taken at its market value ; anyhow, her manipulation of her whirling masses of silken skirt in the "cobra de en polio " dance was simply bewildering. This dance Miss Delroy claims to have invented, and certainly she lias reason to be proud of her work, for| more dazzling or more graceful movements it would be impossible to conceive. Whilst dancing, portraits of •• IV Jim," Cecil Rhode's, Cfiii Paul, Mr Gladstone, the Australian cricketers, and the Queen were thrown upon her floating draperies with beautiful effect. The conclusion of this dance was a signal for thunders of applause. The " White Mahatnia," Madam Bell, created rather a sensation, and a variety of more or less satisfactory speculations as to tlie modus operandi of her thought reading were risked. Several ladies and gentlemen through the theatre were provided with pencils and paper upon which they wrote questions and then placed the papers in their pockets, not permitting anyone to see the nature of the interrogatation. Madam Bell who appeared on the stage blindfolded and was, it was stated, in a trance, not only repeated and answered each question, hut \erv often described the personal appearance of the <pies!loner although it was morally impossible for her to have seen the written questions or known the questioners, Mute, liell claims no supernatural power, hut if it is a trick it is undoubtedly a very clever one. The " HeUaphone," by Miss I>.h oy and Mr Bell, consisted of of bells on the head, hands, and feet of the performers, which being skillfully worked produced tut e\cei'dlllgi v pri !ly mu-icai effect. An admirably bb nd< d ,ind effort was the du< t bi t\\i. a Mish gmfiinons and Mr I'■ 11 g 111 win.■• h wtuf roewfe'J with hearty apphut-.. I'lte company npp« ir again tonight for the last time in an entirely now change of programme and those who attend the performance will be amused ami delighted.