PRINCESS THEATRE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16980, 17 April 1917, Page 7

PRINCESS THEATRE

The seating accommodation of tho Princess Theatre was taxed to the utmost last evening when tho customary change of programme was made. The entertainment must be voted one of tho best provided at this popular place of amusement, and tho now bill of fare is calculated to satisfy tho most avid and critical auditor. From the rise of the curtain till tho finale tho audience was kopt in a happy mood. Brull and Homslcy in their clever burlesque,* "Tho Knut, tho Girl, and tho Egg," were very good, the Brighton scene being. extremely humorous. It represented a waitress and a music seller on holiday, and posing as wealthy members of the nobility. The various passages created unrestrained merriment, and the artists wcro recalled again and again. The Lo Grohs, acrobats and contortionists, staged a turn that savoured of tho wonderful, the contortions of one of tho trio being such as to appear almost uncanny. Both, as a combination and individually they are marvellously clever. Tho second part of the programme was devoted to the second production by the Walter Johnson _ Musical Revue Company, entitled "Tho Kissing Maid." A lugubrious atmosphere is never associated with tho Jewish character, and those who seek capital comedy entertainment of an extreme type are provided with such in this piece,' which concerns tho life of one Ikoy "Umsky, at his chateau and estate at Dieppe. Ho marries Mdlle. Boulevard, a French lady, and then his _ troubles commence. A fortnight after their wedding ho is sick and sore at heart and confides to his faithful gardener' (M'Ginnis) that the osculatory art, so far as his wife was concerned, was not one of his accomplishments. He decided to give a banquet in honour, of the second week of his married lifo, and ostensibly to please his charming wife. Elaborate preparations were made, and among the invitations issued were some to former admirers of his wife. Their arrival added to his troubles. Smarting \mder the knowledge that his wife had not kissed him, he Incomes doubly incensed when he learns that she is permitting her former suitors to kiss her. An American irmvuifr picture man in Fred Smith (Wallis Johnson) conspires with a Spanish dancer tocantivate the Jew at a time when his wife would see him paying her attention, and then the family gathering is broken up, and Mrs Umsky (Lola Hunt) goes' away with tho American. The Jew follows them, taking with him. M'Ginnis. The various scenes were provocative of abundant humour. The catchy and tuneful songs and choruses fairly " caught on." The dancing throughout was artistic: in fact, tho whole piece is so planned that all the parts combine in a manner that makes it an entertainment which commands appreciation.