THE TIVOLI FOLLIES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 14051, 22 July 1916, Page 5

THE TIVOLI FOLLIES.

v There .was a genuine surprise irt Btoix for the. -great audience that packed Hit Majesty's ; Theatre last night." .• Many who : had 4 not> -.; taken j- the -precaution to bdok " seats ; found it { necessary ;. to postpone Hhel'r Visit to the Follies -until, this af terrtodii' orj to-night. Much ' had been heard ' beforehand, Of tlie . tneritg of the Tivoli Follies, and a great deal wa* expscted, but not many had realised what a bright and delightful entertainment would be provided by Mr. Hugh D. Mcluttosh's, large and talented company, which,, opened a short Gisborne season last 'night; The company has succeeded in blending musical comedy, comic ppera, and. 'first-class concert items in a way that quickly wins the appreciation of the audience and intensifies the appreciation, and enthusiasm as the plotless play proceeds on its swift course, the changes being ao fapid that an amazing number of performances are comprised within the time available. Not a moment is wasted, and although many encores would Kbe justified the programme was already crammed so full that no clamoring for repetitions could be acceded to, and the great enthusiasm was always rewarded by something new being provided^ Pride of place among the principals is given to Miss Vera Pearce, adjudged the "Queen of the Follies," and now popularly known as the "Boomerang girl," a captivating stage artiste of handsome appearance and magnetic ( personality, and possessed of a fine voice that is used to good effect. She also dances and acts' in a finished style, and . doe^j much towards maintaining the i jolly joy ride to liappiu.ess vhafc the management promised ,tc the audience. Miss Pearce sang "Raqk T ety Coo," and followed tip's up witii the "Kept-Fit Girl," a story of a champion rt" nt-hlete who is jan. adept-.', at boxing and ' fencing. Then came tihe tuneful song, "Honolulu," a gracefully-executed pjof, dance being given a s a finale. Another splendid feature was a dashing naval song, with dainty evolutions. She also .oins Mr. George. 'Welsh in an amusing- comedy sketch. Another of her songs was "Whole Town Wise," and she stepped down- into tho auditorium and sang and threw button-holo bouquets. Miss Thelma Raye is another very vivacious member of the company, whose radiant locks are featured in the playbills, and she becomes a. most welcome .nrertaiuer in a gay. galaxy of . talent.x She has an animated style, and her singing of "In January," '.'Chinatown," and' other songs — the vocalist being supported by striking stage, .effects— quite charmed the audience, and she was to the fore in other.. joyous, interlude's: Mr. Frank Greene gave great pleasure with his • songs,, including "A Little Bit of Heaven" and "Molly Dear," -. . With charming chorus. The .graceful dancing of Miss Jean Keith was much admired, and this young lady was a gr>°at favorite. Her "Champagne" . and "Russian" dances were exceptionally clever, and aroused much, enthusiasm. Miss Peggy Peate also N won great applause for her remarkably fine dancing. Tho company is especially., strong in comedians, -who are headed, by Mr. Jack Cannot. The latter indulges in.mudh laughable tomfoolery, with corni* songs,: amusing pat■jber. and clever ways of; >Tcecpipg -.- ; the audience in roars of laughter. His songs jincluded,, "Spanish Joe from Mexico," jwith topical verses?. "Colonel K'Nut," *on the: . lines of "Gilbert. tho Filbert," Supplemented by other pleasing- • songs. He is ably .. supported by Mr. --George jWelsh, a very droll personage ; Mr. Billy Rego-, a- diminutive comedian, with a,, big capacity for providing mirth, and jMr.. Walter. Weems, a coon, impersonator, jwho has new jokes with' "which to convulse his audiences, and who has a whimsical and original style' that keeps jblie audience in. a constant state of pierrimeht. Their special acts, in addition :to individual items, included, f'Piaho : Movers,". ' "Brussels Sprouts," "'Oscar in. Trouble/'- ard a comical bar Scene. -There is --'a-^troiig chorus, which takes part in rieaily all • the musical ( k tems, and the .ballet danchig is quite a eature, the company, comprising excelent singers and graceful dancers whose ? attractive appearance ensured admira- , ion. ■ .- - ; The . Belgians concert company mainly Supplied the first part vof the programme, assisted by Mr. Frank Greene, the fine baritone -singer, and *Miss Ella paspers, who has been described as "the ! girl wrfch the voice of gold." The Jnembers of the iconipany are Messrs. A. 80l (tenor), H. Penn. (pianist), A. Baroeri ('cellist), and F. Hoogstoel (violinist). They form an ' exceptionally fine party of musicians, and-. the instrumental numbers., were greatly: "> enjoyed by lovers of inusic/ The tenor scored a great triumph with "I'll < Sing Thee Songs' of JA.raby." , The 'cellist was- an especial favorite with the audience. -Miss Ella * Paspers; proved to be a' -'contralto-" who "made> : good" on preliminary announcements, aiid. "poming Honie" and | 'The Rosary". were-numbeTs that great ly delighted, the- audienC& The stirring war poem, "Carillon," descriptive' of Belgium's suffiering under, the heel of She Huns, was. given with dramatic ffept.by the. party, Mr. Greene admirbly acting as recitalist.' This poem has been set to music byVjSir Edward Elgar, and it was especially appropriate Siat Mr, Green should ..have the assistance pf .. ,the party of ,Belg jan musicians in |«his , impressive feature of .^nte programme. . Tlie meaning of the word Carillon is Belfry, such as one -sees in famous Flemish towns, viz., . Bruges, JVlalines, Antwerp. It is a. big v tower , bells on top.; The ; CarHlon is played by an experienced man who on Sundays gives recitals on the; Carillon itself, which is. similar in form to a piano. The Bruges ( Garilloh;- is about 500 years old. "Carillon" is -written by Jlenry Cammaer,ts, one of Belgium's best poets. It is an appeal ,to the Belgian pa'tion to calm and strengthen their spirits during their; , depressing times. -Short and Little gave a clever acrobatic performance, demonstrating many phases pi the art of tumbling. There is a capable • orchestra;. iMr. W. Quintrell being yio musical.' director. . The entertainment is altogether one that- specially appeals .'.to, tjie, -general public, the way things, "just happen" and the unconventional manner of. submitting the programme apparently suited the popular taste, each item .in a great number having solid merit to. support , it. .Although $ome performers are featured because of excellence in their, special lines of entertainmient the are. .strongly supported .by a, capable company. TJie setting of the entertainment is admirable throughout, all the stage effects being splendid. . . , .-■ . , Tlie Follies gave,. a matinee this aftertnoon to, a large audience, and will give their farewell entertainment to-night. They leaver for -tlie south,, to-nrorrow night.