ELLA SHIELDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18513, 25 March 1922, Page 6

ELLA SHIELDS

Miss Ella Shields,comes to Dunedin with a world-wide reputation as a characteriser of male impersonations, and will commence her season at His Majesty’s Theatre next Wednesday. The Australian press has been loud in their praise of Miss Shields’s talent, eulogising her artistic rendering of that oldtime favourite, "Burlington Bertie From Bow,’’ in which she creates an entirely different rendering from what has been heard in the past. It is described as a study of genteel vagabondage from its best angle. Miss Shields features four types of men—“A Young Swaggering Naval Officer,” ‘‘A Typical English Johnny,” “A Millionaire Hobo,” and the real resourceful “digger.” Her lad-like figure enables her to dress these characters true to life. She is said to possess a sweet voice, undoubted personality, and, further, dances with the grace and lightness of a fairy. Another song that brought her into prominence is “You’re a Dog-gone Dangerous Girl,” a psychological number admirably set and perfe'ctly delivered. ' Miss Shields is described by another Australian critic as the “Regular Fellah,” always essentially feminine and infinitely charming, and yet quite boyishly virile with a sense of appropriate gesture and sparkling humour delicately conveyed. Mr Musgrovo, who is presenting Miss Shields, has carefully selected a variety of imported vaudeville artists to support her, realising from experience that New Zealand theatre-goers desire a complete high-class evening’s entertainment.

The current issue of the Triad, in referring to Mis? Shield’s performance, says: “But Mis? Shields didn’t need the trappings of a circus pony to make her entertaining in the early hours. One looked into sparkling kind eyes that were at once inquisitive, merry, and'thoroughly welcoming, and when the generous mouth of her smiled in its whimsical way, there was no need to do or say anything more than, ‘Let’s sit on the bye-bye and talk with you.’ It was the woman, rather than the artist, whose personality dominated the room. There is a RUggcston of the radiance of Miss Mario Tempest in the small handful of Miss Ella Shields—for she is only a handful. Her limbs are finely proportioned, and her walk is a swinging movement from the hips. Both on the stage and off, the erect little body swings itself along like a perfectly modulated rhapsody. In these days, when raost women waggle their shoulders, knock their knees, and wriggle along the streets any old wav, it is a treat to see a woman walk properly. Miss Ella Shields reminds me of a cool breeze that has suddenly blown into a faded drawing room, and whispered gently, so gently that one is surprised by its quietness, ‘Would you not like to come to the clover fields with mo?’ The brilliance of art does not Ho in any flamboyant presentation. It is the offering reserved .which charms and enthrals an audience. Miss Ella Shields possesses this quality of restraint to a marked degree. The orchestra swings into a gav prelude, the soft light plavs noon (he wings, and then, on to the stage slips n bovish figure. slim, exquisitely groomed, with the shvest and merriest smile in the world. Tim hnz-1 eyes twinkle, the merry mouth opens with a humorous little twist to the side, and Miss Ella Shields is at work !” Patrons are advised to nook their seats at the Bristol Piano Company, where the plan is now open. The season is limited to four nights only, and popular prices are announced.