AMUSEMENTS

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 63, 28 May 1928, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS

KING’S THEATRE.

“ORA DLE SN ATCHEHS. ’’

Louise Fazenda, featured in “Crajdlo Snatchers,” Fox Films version of | llroad way’s outstanding comedy isuc<es« now at the King’* Theatre, is not unlike other comic figures of [ stage and screen. They make others laugh, but deep in their hearts much °1 the comedy has a tinge of sadness. Louise has no bed of roso s in her earlier struggle*? toward success. R °ld papers in Lo.s Angeles and did other little tricks to improve mind and body. School vacations wore not vacations for her. She v. oi Led in a physician’s office, clerked -’or a tax commissioner and even wielded •• li

cb ci mu i j<j-Lv* cupper. » ‘!jc v. nntocl to 'go to Stanford Uni-ver-uty. hut finished by joining a ‘h'/k company at Long Reach. ~CaL This didn’t last and Louise wont back to rending -the “want ads.” Tin’s brought a job as an extrfi, and a« a rosnlt, of that turn of fate she he- i c’ov one of the best known comedy actresses in America“l don’t need a job,” she explained 1 , “but 1, still read the advertisements. If keens me in touch with the people who are in need and that always helps me in m v work. After nil, wouldn’t he much use, for eornedr unless we knew the full meaning of tragedy. Perhaps that’s, why folks love things like ‘Cradle Snatchers.’ David Hamm said qortain number of fiop.s were good for a dog. It sorter kopt him from broodin’ over bein’ a

ANNUAL BAND BALL. Tbo Stratford Cit'zons' BsmuVs miriii" 1 bull is b'Mivr hold in tli o Town Hall nn Thursday, Juno 7th, and all preparations have been made to ensure an enjoyable evening. Prizes are Lobro; given for the best fancy costumes and the most original.

A WONDERFUL RECITAL. DAWN ASSHETON AND LASZLO SCHWARTZ. It was a very meagre house that greeted Miss Dawn Assheton and Mr Laszlo Schwartz at the Town Hall on Saturday night, but those who stayed away missed something really worth while. If the company returns again, as Mr Schwartz indicated was likely and the public really realises the kind' of programme that is presented,' it is safe to say that the Theatre will be packed to its utmost. _ Never before has a Stratford audience been treated to such a diversity Of items of folk music, and never before has such enthusiasm been shown. To use a hackneyed phrase: What the audience lacked in numbin's it made up in enthusiasm. During many of the numbers, laughter burst forth as Miss Assheton gave those deft humorous touches for which she is no noted, and on other occasions her liswnei’s sat spellboiuia and in silence, thrilled by Her glorious voice and realistic acting.-

Mr Schwartz is a master of the violin, and he held his hearers enraptured with his playing His f( w explanatory remarks ad the beginning of each item made clear in each case the theme of hi:- music, which, being understood, was appreciated the more. Even- effort of each artist was applauded to the echo; in fact, the audience was raised to a pitch of the wildest enthusiasm.

There was nothing “highbrow” in any of the' recital, which was true to label that it represented the music of the soul of many peoples in its sincerity and simplicity. But it was a colourful recital not only because o[ the gorgeous costumes worn by Miss Assbeton, but because of her presentation of the folk songs and Mr Schwartz’s playing of the Maygur music. It should also be mentioned that Miss Assbeton is more than a singer with, an amazing vocal range. She is an accomplished actress who “lived” the characters she was portraying.

Her first number was from Verdi’s Traviata, and this showed the wondeful power of her voice. Then followed a group of folk songs from India, Burma and Persia, and for an encore to these she gave Alfred Hill’s Waiata Po. There was also a Spanish group: “Fickle Lover,” “My Toreador,” and “La Clavel,” followed by a delightful little effort “Buy My Violets.’ The (Hungarian and Slavonic group consisted of “My Mate,” "Liliomogul" and “Oj Dana” .(Polish). In response to the demands of a wildly applauding audience, she returned in a little Russian song “Cuckoo,” which was a pure delight, and as she was even then not allowed to retire she rendered the whimsical lay of “The Three Chestnuts.” Hebrew, Irish and Scotch songs were her next portion, while her singing of “Avc Maria” (Mascheroni) was wonderful, embellished as it was by the violin obligato by Mr Schwartz. Mr Schwartz can be said to make his violin sing, and his playing thrilled everyone. His numbers included “Rhapsodic Impromptu,” a musical protest against war, composed by himself, “Eli Eli,” a Hebrew lament, and his own “Caprice.” He also played a May gar group: “So They Say,” “Love Song” and “Hun-

j garian Phantasy.” i Mr Eric Bell played die accomj paniments, and played them magniliceiitly. Like his confreres he is a true artist. It was a memorable performance.