PRINCESS THEATRE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18158, 1 February 1921, Page 6

PRINCESS THEATRE

There is something curiously unerring in the judgment of people in the mass. inis may go by the -name merely of public opinion or of instinct or what you will; but, whatever it is, it possesses a certain quality of infallibility, and whether it is found in those who attend grand opera performances for pleasure or tnose who go to the vaudeville the object of its approval is undoubtedly to be accounted most fortunate. In a very special degree this applies to the Walter George Company of Sunshine Players at present appearing at the Princess Theatre. Week after week they place some new piece before the public, and week after week their efforts to amuse and entertain meet with the most cordial and genuine approval. This appreciation was evidenced to a very striking degree last only bv the verv large audience which filled the theatre in every part, but by t"® thusiastic Approbation which their ) latest revue number, “A Dutch Legacy, unmistakably commanded. It is true ° f r ® v H®® in general that their faults are all on the surface. It is equally true that in the hands of i ch a company as Mr George has succeeded in gathering together they go forward with a swing and a rapidity ot motion, not to say an abandon, that roost refreshing and captivating. .A DUtcn Legacy ” provides a case in Po> nt - Equipped only with an intangible thread of a story by wav of a plot, it is nevertheless full of quaint and joyous incidents; and the piquant Dutch atmosphere that pervafles the playlet, as well as the frequent interludes of mirth and melody, go to make up a charming and thoroughly enjoyable entertainment. In the musical department Reg. Hawthorne last evening scored a conspicuous success with his yodelling song. “ Mein Mina,” the number being received with demonstrative applause and an emphatic recall being demanded Mis duet with Miss May Geary, “Mv Little Dutch Doll,” was another admirable number, as also was the “Hans and Gretchen quartet. Miss Hylda Shannon’s beautiful voice was heard to marked advantage in the song and chorus “Tulip Time,” and also in Lovely Spring,” for both of which she earned the heartiest of applause. Georgie Martin, Duloie Milner, and George Storey also lent able assistance to the vocal side of the production. As is customary with revues the comedy element bulks very largely m A Dutch' Legacy,” and here, as usual, Mr George Storey is a tower of strength. _ xne Jazz Band" is also a vastly entertaining item, in the course of which some of the weirdest and loudest musical sounds ever heard on the stage are produced in a senes of crashing staccatos and crescendos. Mias Pollv M’Laren’s “ Tulip Dance is one of the bright spots of the performance on its artistic side, and the quaintly attired darns"'s of the various Dutch ballets help materially in the creation of an appropriate atmosphere. ~ ,■ The only incoming turn on the vaudeville side of the programme is that of the Sinclair Brothers, a pair of handsomely set. up and well-attired young men who impart a unique air of grace and ease to a number of most difficult feats of hand-balancing. Their admirable turn is varied by the introduction of several touches of comedy, and everything they do is executed in the best of possible taste. Their turn is a veritable gem among performances of a similar character. Mr James Schofield, the Canadian lyric tenor, used his pleasant voice to excellent effect in a number of well-chosen songs, includinir “Wonderful Mother of Mine” and “I’ll Sing Thee Songs of Araby. but his "reatest success was achieved in another of the “laughing” songs which he does so well and which he has made so popular. Wallingford Tate_ continues to entertain successfully at the piano, and Desperado and La Rose give the greatest, pleasure to patrons with their acrobatic and tumbling specialties. Eyans and Dean brought their new turn to n c’ose with quite a clever exhibition of sten-dancing on rol’er abates, and Hart and Clegg, who one’hed the bill, earned warm applause for their sketch offering. The same comnany will appear during the remainder of the week.