AMUSEMENTS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 78, 28 March 1912, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

GROSSI’S BELLRINGERS AND PLAYERS.

There was a fair audience at the Town Hall last night, when an entertainment was given by the Grossi Bellringers and Players. Certainly at the head of the troupe is Nada Moret, a lady entertainer of no mean order. She sang various numbers by herself, and was invaluable in the many concerted pieces, the entertainment taking the form of a number of rencontres of a more or less -impossible but undoubtedly humorous character. In one of her humorous soles her candid comments on mem-

bers (or imaginary members) of the audience made her good friends with ' all present, and all her witticisms were pointed, crisp, and well delivered. In the ‘Trilby’ quartette “Au clair de la lune,” her French was probably as good as anybody else’s. Perhaps her chief “hit,” however, was on the serious side, when, in the Royal Stuart evening dress, she told metrically of ■Findlater’s famous work with the Gordons at Darghai. Of the men, Martinetti was easily the best. His “make-up” on all occasions was excellent, and while he was bent on supplying broad humour, the broadness was confined within the narrow limits of reason. His acrobatic work (of which there was not enough) Was of a high order. His witticisms. Chiefly at the expense of Grossi, had •the points marked in plain figures, and none of them were old enough to demand veneration. His musical work, both in strings and wind, was good, •his attack and treatment generally being all that could be desired. In the concerted l pieces his voice was of much assistance.

Grossi, although inclined to embonpoint, was light in all departments. His light Yoice went well in the concerted pieces,’ his light feet showed well in the buffoonery, and his light system on the violin was .sweet, though violin 'people would have excused him if he had put more fire and body into Mascagni’s well-knoxvn Intermezzo. His work with Nada Moret on “The Paradise Chimes” was not negligible. Miss Flo Gardiner, the soprano of the troupe, sang a fair number of solos very acceptably. She sang a verso of the “Old Hundredth” to the accompaniment of the Paradise Chimes—an arrangement of aluminium bell tubes. All • the performers— Miss Gardiner*, Nada Moret, and Grossi—acquitted themselves well, especially in a phrase l with a ben marcato contrapuntal accompaniment. Cecil Verne; billed as a “humorist,” sang some qomic songs in good style. His patter was well up to standard.

FULLER AND SONS’ ATTRACTION FASOLA, THE MAGICIAN.

Messrs. John Fuller and Sons, the well-known theatrical .firm, will open a season of' oiie night at the Town Hall on .Tuesday next, when they will f resent Fasola, described as the great ndian Fakir or master magician. The Sahib Fasola is credited with"’'many new and mysterious workings in magic, and the 1 press ‘ hi Wellington, where Fasola "is-at present appearing, assert that Tie* .begins 'where magicians of the -phst have 1 deft off. His acts are new!‘and Ohybilr of ‘mystibism of the 'joUrhail says:— “Fasola is vm<y'th'or6hgh throughout. The big mechknipah'-imiSiohs l and I ,the small incidenlal f, t'ricks are all effected' l wrth !i the same' ease and placid uncottfce'rnlf His is'a qiiiet” enjoyable stroll through the fields of necromancy, and conviction, • born of and impelled by his suave demeanor, ■meets an insuperable barrier only-rin the spectators’ mental reminder that ‘it’s all a fake.’ Abd so he watches for an indication to explain the simple cause lying behind a complicated and confusing effect, and finding himself mystified'tlll 'the-' certain, diicls Tils' researches aMI "him J 'aiValy ’ convinced that '■ ‘seeing' ’ is’ believing’ 1 is not an axioiti tp J^hibh I ,'exception's may 1 , i not, occasionally} be ;l advaritageOusly applied. AhUmbO'r.bf artists, specially selected. byi'd*ohh ! ,Fuller“ahd'Sdns, will appear ih^supp'ort' of Fasola, "prominent amohgst • them , being “The Windsor Choristers,” The latter is a very male quartette whose singing' has- created a wonderful impressioh'. l 'wherever they have appeared. “The- Windsor Choristers” include Master James lies, described as the boy -who sang before the King.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Last night’s finishing programme at His Majesty’s. Theatre ( was well received by a very fan - audience. To-night a big change of films takes place, including a most daring'arid sensational picture showing Bobby Leach shooting the Niagara Falls in a barrel. He is towed by a boat to the edge of the rapids, and is then precipitated into the water, going to what looks like cer.tain death, but is picked up by a boat and brought shorewards. One of the high-class dramas to be screened is “The Diamond Gang,” depicting where a defective, by order of the chief of police, enters the gang’s place of abode, but on his arrival finds that the suspects are missing. While speaking with 1 a servant they arrive. The detective retires, but comes back later, and donning the servant’s clothes, commences to do the latter’s work. While in the act of peeping through the door the suspects open it, and the door opening inwards, he is thrown into the hands of the diamond gang, who at once handcuff and gag him, lock the room, and hasten off by motor-car. The detective loses no time, and soon withdraws the handkerchief from his mouth, and, with the aid of his teeth, he communicates by telephone to the police office. A squad of policemen soon arrive, arid, releasing him, follow in hot pursuit of the gang. The police board a tram car,', and the line running parallel with the road enables them to soon pick up the scent. After a run of several miles, during which revolver shots have been exchanged by both pursuers and assailants, the desEeradoes seek shelter in an old hovel, ut the place is rushed by the police, and the whole gang is promptly arrested. The scenics are very fine pictures, headed by scenes in the Isle bf Man, whilst the; comics, “A Handsome Man,” “Too Many Burglars,” and “A Delayed Proposal,” are about the best received yet.