AMUSEMENTS.

North Otago Times, Volume CIV, Issue 13656, 26 August 1916, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

THETIYOU .FOLLIES. The sage who said that; a little nonsense now and then.is relished by the Wisest men, was.a..pretty shrowd disccmer of human nature. ' In'thoso days of stress and anxiety the laughtermaker has a place in the body politic, hence the enthusiastic, ami.hearty reception : accorded Mr Hugh I). '.Mcintosh's Tivoli Follies, who made their appearance.before a large audience in the Opera House last evening. The company is an unusually strong one, containing..quite, a variety of specialists possessed of great entertaining powers, and carrying with it a numerous body of young ladies,.who provide the spectacular on lines scarcely less pretentious than.the ncccpt.ed. pantomime of the present day. The impression conveyed by the first! part is: that there is a ■ Higher tone-about the performance than is generally the case with variety entertainments., (n this pari, the. Belgian Concert I'arty claims special attention, anil arc quite a feature in themselves. Their cultured and talented performance was heartily applauded. Accompanied by the full ovehesira the Belgian? played the finale from Suppe's "Poet and Peasant," The number lost its effect owing to the forte work of the Follies orchestra. The tympani and cymbals have their place in every wellbalanced orchestra, but as,solo'instruments' they are unbearable. The orchestra overwhelmed the Belgian trio, and completely spoiled the "Poet and Peasant" selection. The Belgian trio placed Meiulelsshon's "Spring Song," and gave an artistic interpretation. Mons A. 801, the tenor of 'the partv sang Leoncavallo's "Matiuutta" and although the singer forced his production in the upper register and sacrificed tonal quality for effect, he sang the exacting operatic selection most acceptably. .'Klgar'swell-known "Salute d'Amour" for the violin was plaved artistically by. Mons F. lloogstod, 'the volumptuous phrasing and expression being given with mnsicinnly skill. Mons Barseu the 'cellist of the party plaved Popper's charming Rhapsodv 'and 'ak though not up to the standard of the •solo 'cellists who have visited New Zealand, his performance was most aceept-

able. As « finale M. Bo! sang * * 17»i----till" accompanied by the trio. The Belgians- were heartily applauded for their :titistic contribution to tin' programme, .Miss Klla Caspcrs, who is billed as''the girl with iho voice of gold,'' is certainly « charming biilladist. Her voice i's tuneful, her choice of songs relineil, and her singing cultured and full of expression, iriss (,'nspers gave liiegor's "When VouCniuc Home" ami labile's "In My Garden" 'as hrackeled numbers. li, response to an imperative recall Miss (jaspers sang delightfully. Wilkiwliy's "(joining Home." Mr Frank Greene ami the Bolgian Concert I'iii-ty were responsible for the unique' displny designated on the programme as "('arillon." Mr Greene' - "recited d'Kniile, Cm lerts' immortal poem ! 'l'hnntons ; Beiges, Chantoiis !"-a Belgin"' pout's appeal |o the Belgian natiuii to calm and strengthen their spirits (luring their depressing [hues,' 'l'lli' wish', ('(imposed by Sir Edward Uigur, was written in honour of Belgium and is a lifting musical setting to the poem, Sir Nil ward's composition .was Included in King Albert's Book, issued as a tribute to the King and his people from , representative' men and women throughout the world. The tableau and musical accompaniment made a unique display especiallv as triumphant Belgium was depicted as the poem forecasts the entry of the conquerors info' Berlin. The tableau made an impressivl- conclusion to .the lirst part. Short and Little were responsible for a really clever and amusing acroba-tic-display.. Waller Weems, the blackfaced humourist, got olV ; many laughable gags and put some clever business into his few moments of foolery, One or two of his cbservationJ, however, were a. trifle overproof, and could have been left unsaid without wilitiating against the success of his turn, _ In the second part the Follies rollicked in' a deluge of hilarity, ami produced iin extraordinary variety of music and mirth, Songs, with and'without choruses, dances,, ballets, evolutions by the young ladies of the com ; pany ndily and fancifully apparelled, sketches, amusingly absurd burlesques, and many other suchlike'methods of entertaining ami amusing were given, and not one failed to move the audience to laughter and .applause. It was a perfect hurricane of laughter-making, Special notice should be made of the ..splendid dressing, mountings and stage effects. Air Jack Cannot scored a distinct success with his comic songs and was conspicuous in the general fuuniiiking. Miss Vera I'earce completely captured the good opinion of those .present with her singing, dancing and acting, a fine stage appearance adding not a little to her success. She was supported by 'a bevy of young ladies, whose presence increased the charm of the scene, .Miss Thelnut Rave captivated the audience, her brilliant presence and chic lent attractiveness to the many scenes of jrjuery, JMr George Welch one of the world's leading "drunk" comedians was a host in himself, anil was responsible for much of the fun. He was specially ludicrous in the burlesque rehearsal "The New Conductor." The chorus was attractive

ami Hvell and added brightness and colour to a most appealling display. Tin* dancing was lithsome- unil daiiily, The orchestra, especially in the second part, was"»small factor in the success of the evening' with the Follies. I '• - V. !