ELLA SHIELDS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18514, 27 March 1922, Page 7

ELLA SHIELDS.

The Auckland Star comments as follows on the opening performance in Auckland of Miss Ella Shields:—“Miss Ella Shields is something very different from the ordinary style of impersonator to which we have been accustomed. Some of her impersonations are almost creations, and they show their genius by impressing themselves in a remarkable manner on the audience. Her ‘Burlington Bertie,’ for instance, was a household word in the army, and though a man may have never seen dr heard of the original artist, he was bound to know ‘Bertie’ if he came within the orbit of the average Tommy. Miss Shields made her first New Zealand appearance at His Majesty's Theatre last night, and after the first verso of her song there was no mistaking the fact that an artist had arrived. She must have made a wonderfully close study of such characters as the young policeman in ‘Archie the Bobby.’ ‘Burlington Bertie of Bow’ is. of course, her great achievement. Bertie was a broken-down swell who still elinig to his top hat and eyeglass, and discoursed about people in high life, such as Lord llosebery and Lady Diana. It is a characteristic of English music hall artists that some of their best creations have a dash of pathos in them, and it is Bertie’s suggestion of faded but not forgotten glory that appeals to Miss Shields’s audience. Other selections from her repertory were ‘A Dangerous Girl,’ ‘The Policeman Before Mentioned,’ ‘The Isle of Man,’ and a ‘Digger’ song. She was encored quite a number of times, and was immediately a strong favourite.” Miss Shields is bringing to Dunedin the same company of vaudeville artists that supported her through her Australian tour. The Dunedin season, which is limited to four nights, will commence at His Majesty’s Theatre next Wednesday. The box plan is now open at The Bristol.