THE LORGNETTE

Observer, Volume XXXIV, Issue 51, 29 August 1914, Page 6

THE LORGNETTE

[By Pkompteii.]

THE Fuller-Brennan bill is drawing well at the Opera House, and the house is getting its share of all the money there is to spare for whiling away the war-dis-turbed moments. Much new matter and many new people are appearing. Marcel and Bell, the smart novelty dancers and clever balancers, made their reappearance in a new act for a short season prior to their departure for the United States. Their graceful dancing and the ease with which their numerous and wonderful dancing feats were performed were greeted gladly. Hiearty and unrestrained applause greeted each new evidence of their powers, and these two performers may rest assured of a warm welcome throughout their season. Maud Fanning, who "goes" like a bush fire on a summer day, is back again. Hurrah for her! She hasn't been seen locally for a large while. Her turns afforded great delight to the audience, and she was ably assisted by the Elliott Sisters, Violet, Mercia, and Huia, a young but exceedingly clever trio. Fred Swift, described as the "Musical Nut," who produced harmoniouls sounds from all sorts of extraordinary instruments and unusual places, also made a reappearance prior to leaving for America. With his quaint medley of assorted harmonies and his Hebrew character sketch he soon established himself a warm favourite with the audience.

Arthur Elliott, the comedian, was again heard to great advantage, whilst Tom Armstrong and Miss Howarth, who presented further (specimen® of their entertaining items, were likewise in excellent form. The Mullaney Twins, in their singing and dancing soena,. were as bright as usual. Phil Percival, who is mailing his last appearance here, presented a burlesque impression of his brother Tom Heme, the "lazy juggler," which quite convulsed the audience. Stirling and Love appeared in a new musical comedy hit entitled "Tit for Tat." The trio, Vincent, Arthur, and Oliver, vocalists, who are always welcomed, gave some pleasing items, whilst the contributions of the Bright Sisters were quite in keeping with the meritorious standard of the whole performance. The programme will be repeated this and following evenings.

"The. Rosary," to be produced next Saturday night at His Majesty's Theatre, is reckoned to be one of the 'biggest successes that has ever been produced in America. From the first night in the New York theatre in which it was first played it (took by storm not only the play-going public, but many as well who previously had never been in a theatre in their lives. Mr E. J. Carroll, whilst travelling in America, was as taken with the price that he purchased the rights of it for Australia and the Dominion and arranged on his return to Sydney with George Willoughby, Limited, to produce it and the latter have done so in a manner that has delighted Mr Harrington Reynolds, who says it was not presented better in America. Everything has been done to ensure its success both in scenery, mounting and dresses, and Melbourne expressed its appreciation by packing the Princess Theatre for six weeks and could have gone on a good deal longer but that' New Zealand dates were booked. They can only play six nights as dates ahead have to be fulfilled. The box plan is at Wildman and Arey's, where seats may be reserved without any extra charge being made. Booked seats 4s.

The Dandies still continue to make. merry in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall. Considering the obvious intention of a large proportion of the public to pull in its financial horns, it is really surprising that the combination, good as it is, is able to attract such large audiences. The artistes who form the company are of a high standard, and particularly is this true of the contralto soloist, who on the whole give® quite the finest items. The items are merry and bright, and so well diversified as to attract all classes otf entertainmenit-lovers. There is a particular demand at this turning point in our-history for stirring song, and this company is well able to tender a supply that meets the patriotic requirement.

Pinero's exceedingly brilliant play, "The Gay Lord Quex," was put on by Beaumont Smith's fine company on Monday and Tuesday, and played with great cleverness by people who easily outclass any players since the beloved Broughs did the same sort of beautiful work. Pinero's intention in this charming isatirid, which is written wijth Pinero's most serious intention, is to show that a man's reputation as a roue can be kept well alive by the persistence of charming women who, of course, are not roues or anything of the sort (oh, dear, no). Pinero's

work is of no value whatever if not well done, and it is certain that with a notable exception or so, "The Gay Lord Quex" could receive no better treatment than it got. * * *

Mr Hugh Buckler presents the "gay" marquis in absolutely natural colours. His charm consists in his absolute adherence to type. He does not vaunt, he is always the strong, courteous, calm, and insouciant Britisher of the best type, and his self-control is his very finest artistic characteristic. Miss Violet Paget is altogether charming as the manicurist who seeks to deliver the innocent girl from the clutches of the "gay" Quex. She also ' has decided on a precise representation of the character, and the gay and charming woman is never anything else throughout the fascinating story. Of notable excellence is the work of Miss Eileen. Robertson as the innocent girl, and Mr Arthur Corvell gives a character study of a retired governor which is of. the greatest excellence. Mr Brampton is rather good, and some others fill minor parts carefully The orchestra has slightly improved since last week. © ® © Napoleon Bonaparte is supposed to have remarked that with British officers and French troops he could lick the world. The only place "Nap.", said such a thing was in a play written fifty years after he had died in captivity of cancer. Napoleon didn't love his enemies.

The Globe has a Gaborian. Lecoq picture play, "The Pepper Box Inn Tragedy," done in the very best French style, and highly fascinating, as showing the methods of the famous criminal-oum'->detectivte. The strength of the story is in the extraordinary brilliance of the acting and the splendid make up. The Pathe Gazette has much European matter, and gives pictures of recent activities of the Kaiser (who is received in stony silence). A charming drama is "Checkmated," which shows how a typiste got even with crooks who were trying to take down her poor little millionaire employer for his dollars. I left the sweet, black-eyed girl in his arms.

There are other excellent films that help one to spend a most pleasant hour or two in a pleasant little theatre.

The Princess Theatre is starring the splendid picture play, "The Wail of Money," in which the root of all evil plays an especially prominent part, and which incidentally (tells the tale of a boy's adventures, fortunes and failures, and the love and devotion of his pa. There is a film which is so realistic that you want to sit in your shirt sleeves with ice on your nigh brow. There is. a "Pimple" farce, "Among Raging Beasts," and it is one of the best of an absurd series, being of the really old-fashioned and most obvious rednosed comedy type. A large number of topical, educational, scenic, and other films are passing over the popular screen, and in the evenings l the very excellent orchestra is doing very fine work.. Few people realise how much picture shows owe to the tireless musician.

At the Queen's Picture Theatre, "On the Minute" is the big "movie," and it does move with a gorgeousness and point that has not oeen surpassed 6ince movies began to flicker across the screen. "A Man's Duty" and "Big Jim of Sierra," two highly interesting productions, complete the dramatic part of the entertainment. "Feeding Time" is of value for its educating qualities, and "Curdi's Outing," together with "Father Learns to Bike,'' were responsible for a great deal of merriment at all sessions yesterday.

The Lyric specialises in big pictures, and one of the largest in point of interest and thrill ever screened in that house is "Lost in Mid Ocean," which has been based on the terrible disaster to the mail steamer Titanic. By devices known only to the geniuses of cinematography the great elements of a gigantic wreck have been reproduced, and the drama written round it is heart thrilling in its tremendous pathos and appeal. "The Strategy ot Conductor 786" is a Thanhauser comedy that sparkles in every inch. "The River Avon at Tewkesbury" has proved to be a more than usually dainty scenic, while "Mabel's Busy Day" is one of the brightest Keystone comedies shown for some time. A new patriotic series is included in the programme, which also contains "All for Science," an A.B. drama.

"The Adventures of Kathlyn" is the main attraction at the King's Theatre this week. It is sensational in the extreme, containing as it does several wild animal scenes. Kathlyn's adventures in wild lands have piled up a series of experiences most realistic and exciting, and then there is the spectacular Durbar scene. "Big Gun Practice on a Dreadnought" cannot fail to be interesting at the present time. This week's Pathe Gazette is full of good topical items. Among the comic films is a Keystone production, "Our Country Cousins," which has been responsible for shrieks of laughter, while another funny film is "Max's Persuasive Suicide." Other films include "Torrents of the Cascade," "The Signal," and "Two Men and a Mule." The King's Orchestral Band has a new and specially arranged series of musical selections.

Graham Moffat, the author of "Bunty Pulls the Strings," now at the King's Theatre, Melbourne, says that an old lady from Invergordon, a part of Scotland where the old Sabbath observance is as rigid as in years ago, was taken to see "Bunty." She thought she was being taken to a concert, as the mention of a theatre would have been too horrible. Her summing up of the show was that Mr Moffat was a -wicked! character for making a fool of the home life. But another old lady, who also had a down on actors and theatres, after being rebuked for patronising a play, said, "It was na' acting; it was just real."

Announcements of engagements and contributions of social items may be forwarded to " Myra," Observer Office. In all cases the writer's signature and address are necessary.