THE LORGNETTE

Observer, Volume XXXV, Issue 45, 17 July 1915, Page 6

THE LORGNETTE

[By Peompteb.]

LIKE angels' visits, the visits of Rickardte companies are few and far between, but Hugh D. Mcintosh, governing director of Rickards' Theatre, brought the Tivoli Follies himself, so that they wouldn't switch off and go "to Honolulu or Java or the Straits Settlement. Robert Parker isn't really a follly, you know—.he's the big operatic baritone, and 1 he threw the "Toreador" song to the people with a wealth of music and a roll of "r's" that shook 'em up. He really can sing this Covent Garden baritone who is so shortly to. fade away with Madame Melba. Robert also gave "Mother o' Mine," a fervid morsel which hits any mother's son on the tear box. Alfredo is the American man in the hand-me-down pants, the busted boots and any old coat who owns a violin. Alfred reaches for you with the fiddle—and gets you. He ambles on and takes liberties with the fiddle, but not with music, for he sure stirs the heart. When I, an abandoned! sightseer, feel hot lumps in the throat the audience is weeping happy tears, too —yes,sir! I like Alfredo, and his left hand is the most supple tool I've seen hanging from a human arm for some moons'. Alex. Yakovlenka, with the golden hair and the glad wardrobe!, comes from Russia to spin like a top and to dance in a cheerful picturesque way. He's a sweet youth either stationary or on the whirl, but men like % him whirling best. Vera Pearce, a big, beautiful girl from the land of sun and Canberra, is rich entertainment either unsupported or in a galaxy. In the "revue" there is Jack Cannot, but I can assure you he can. A robust, hearty, "all round" comedian. There isn't an angle on him. He has a rich, fruity flavour, and a disposition to gag with originality that knocks a poor writer's chance of inventing gag kite high. "Anything that Jack Cannot can no dae," as ma fren, McPhairson said, "is no wairth the daein'." Here you have the pronunciation of Mr Cannot's name. But Isabelle D'Armond is a clever sprite, and, upon my word 1 , when she pointed to a gentleman of dark texture, who was among others of a fairer skin, and aippealed) to her stage husband, "How did this happen " a parson m the dress circle burst into glad mirth. Many songs were sung, and much wit. and humour cast to the audience. Beauteous damsels of amazing youthfubiess and "well supported!" gave a graceful finish to specialties, but I can't make out why Vera Pearce, dressed in a stage blacksmith's apron and supported* by Turkish houris, could consider herself "Omar Khayyam." I'm writing to Omar for a photo. Rego Stoppitt, or Stopit Rego, Lorna Paterson and chorus, Alvaretto and a number of other brilliant people threw the weight of their art into the scale. The Tivoli Orchestra is a good combination, although Will Quintrell was boxed' in like a soldier in a trench. If I had to choose between a meeting of the Minister s Association and The Follies—l'd be a fool! „ ® © ® ~ x . The Montaniba-Wells combination of two at the Opera House are more adept in the somersault business than any politician known to me. No M P in New Zealand could sit in his chair, fall backwards 20 feet, and arrive right side up in a sitting posture at the finish. I challenge any member of the Ministry to fall down a flight of stairs, doing two flips on the way, and to land in the Ladies Gallery unhurt. Yet these two people do this kind of thing and don t brag

about it. This is.new in acrobatics', and all the Auckland M.P.'s who are behindhand' should! see the Montambo Wellses. Mr Baker, from America, is an illusionist whose clever variants of the well known tricks are as interesting as new goods. By necromantic arts he causes a matchbox to grow to the size of the trunk known to the railway service as "The Porter's Punishment," and astounds and delights the audience by producing from this suddenly created/ box his beauteous lady assistant. He gets rid of the lady with a wave of the hand. She vanishes completely. I suppose he wouldn't sell this useful bit of necromancy to a married gentleman at Ponsonby, would 1 he? "The Australian Sundowner" strolled on with a violin and used it with merit. His selections are good and appropriate. Miss Grade Graham, the brisk British comedienne, has returned after a long absence which we have endured with pain, and gave great pleasure with her novel contributions. Miss Eileen Fleury, the charming French is doing her character interpretations to the same loud applause, and the vaudeviUians whom she imitates live again in her art. Phil Ascot, the clog dancer, appeals to all those who love this form of art, and Miss Jessie Miller, the exceedingly clever pianoaccordeoniste still gives one of the best turns on the bill. She is ably assisted by Sister Dolly, who sings nicely. Arthur Douglas, the Scotch

comedian, is penalised in many encores, and Lumley and Rhodes have heaps of new patter. Matinee on Saturday. SS> @> ® . That vivacious combination the Bohemian Orchestra, drew a maximum aiidience to the Town Hall on Thursday evening of last week. It is doubtful whether everybody who intended to be present could gain admittance. The large audience gave every token of enjoyment throughout the entertainment. Mr Colin Muston, the popular conductor, entered, as did every performer under his baton into the spirit of the music and the concert was an unequivocal success. The points that immediately strike the Bstener is the complete unanimity of an extremely effective re-, pertoire, combination, the fine free spirit, executive ability and pew" 61 * of expression of the whole. The overture to "Raymond" (Thomas) was a sample of precise and illustrative orchestral work, inspiring in its general! effect. It is a splendid thing, and was splendidly played:. The development of the musical story was followed with evident pleasure. The triumphant finale was given with stirring effect. It was a

particularly fine introduction. Michiel's "Russian Rhapsody" particularly requires temperamental treatment and poetic appreciation of the composer's meaning. It is in effect the outpourings of the soul of the Russian people, and for this reason alone presents difficulties to those whose feelings cannot run in Slavonic, channels. The exquisite music

was played beautifully and the message conveyed with masterly appreciation. The valse "Triste" of Sibelius is a morsel of musical emotion that is intended' to touch the heart and to convey some of the sadness which it illustrates. Here, too, the adept orchestra illustrated the theme with that feeling without which perhaps technique is but as sounding brass and tinkling cymbals. The .crash of the "March Triumpbale" (MancinelM's "Cleopatra") suited very well' tiie martial spirit of the people, and it was an invigorating and inspiriting contribution vividly played. Selections from Lieder Ohne Worte of Mendelssohn pleased greatly and were most effectively rendered. Madame Bella Russell sang Handel's "Rejoice Greatly" very nicely, the orchestral accompaniment being highly effective. Weber's "Softly Sighs" was received with, every evidence of pleasure. Mr Laurie Kennedy, the favourite violoncellist, played Saint Saens "Le Cymge" and Popper's Tarantelle, which were so well received that he was enthusiastically encored. Mr Alien, the accomplished pianist, was the accompanist.

Mr and Mrs Graham Moffat and their newly augmented! company of Scottish players are to open a short season at His Majesty's Theatre on Tuesday next, when a new Scottish comedy will be presented. These favourite artists made many friends during the enormously successful tour of "Bunty Pulls the Strings" throughout New Zealand, and this worthy successor to that charming comedy should prove another boom piece for the management. The new play is written round' the old time Scottish marriage system when a written declaration before witnesses was consideredi legally binding, and Mr Moffat has written a charming comedy. No less than' seven, new artists will be making their first appearance in, New Zealand, they having been specially imported to fill the parts created by them when "A Scrape o' the Pen" was so successfully produced 1 in London. Most of the old "Bunty" favourites will be seen in new roles, including Miss Winifred Moffat, Miss Nan Taylor, Mr Abie Barker and Mr David Urquhart. "A Scrape o' the Pen" wdl run for six nights, with a matinee on Saturday, July 24th, while for the last four nights of the season "Bunty" will be revived, and a special matinee of the little string pulling lady will be held on Wednesday, July 28th. The box plan is at Wildman and Arey'e.

Shouts of laughter greet "Pimple's Three Weeks," a film farce at the Queen's. It is a caricature of Elinor Glyn's "Three Weeks," done with a wealth of British music hall diablerie impossible to describe. Pimple (as a "lidy") is the bride of a comic king, and the horseplay that is crowded into two acts gives it a place all its own. Of a very different type is "Any Woman s Choice," .an exquisitely played society drama tellnug the story of a loving woman, a cold 1 husband and the "friend" (Francis X. Bushman, the muscular Adonis being the "friend"). The woman plays more finely than most movie actresses. Ultimately the men agree that either the cad, husband or the hero friend; shall/ go away, leaving the woman to he who is left. The film legend simply asks the audience which man she will choose. The audience cackles its understanding of woman, but the authors evidently didn't know husbands. On the Whole there is more laughter than, sadness about the present Queen s bill. Anyone who wants to be refreshed and rejuvenated should see "Pimple's Three Weeks." There are, too, a number of other fine films, including fine views of Constantinople, the capital of rurkey, a city that has very great interest for all! New Zealanders at the present time.

There is only one artist speaking English without the- Scottish accent in the forthcoming production at His Majesty's Theatre of "A Scrape o' the Pen."

The Lyric has an interesting emotional drama, "A Heart of Gold," a beautiful conception, emphasising the fact that some people will go to any length in the matter of unselfishness, and really illustrating what is an everyday virtue common to most people. "Dishing the Dardanelles" is a series of cartoons from the pen of a clever artist, depicting in a few bold, masterly strokes the position in special reference to Abdul the Damned and his fezzed followers. The "Mother of Pearl" drama is a tale of the great wide outdoor world, specially depicting human sacrifices, and telling very tenderly a sweet love story. "A Strand of Blonde Hair" is, of course, the usual strand followed by a jealous brunette wife on the black coat shoulder of an errant husband, and is full of quaint humour and knockabout comedy. The Gaumont Graphic pictures all that is most recent in world events, with special reference to the world war, the movement of troops at Home and abroad, and the innumerable events which are snaking the old orange to its axis. There are a number of other films, gay, dramatic and instructive.

Mattie McLellan,, as Jean Lowther, the heroine, has a very pretty lullaby to sing in "A Scrape o' the Pen." This was specially composed for her by Harry Lauder, who is a veiry firm friend of Mr Graham Moffat.

The King's Theatre, which specialises in long and interesting star picture stories, has a remarkable example of this class in "A Siren of Corsica," a land, famous in song and story as the birthplace of the great Napoleon. It is the land of fiery souls and quick stiletto, the home of the vendetta and of passionate love. In this picture it is sought successively to show the vivid nature of the emotions of the Oorsioan woman, and as the powerful story is worked out amidst the most characteristic scenery of the famous island it has educational and instructive use, as well as the power to play upon the heartstrings of the peopk*. The siren herself gives a superb representation of a woman warm, vindictive and passionate, and the selection of the support has been extremely clever. The various denouements are in keeping with the ambitious nature of the whole film, and the whole keeps the audience in a state of suppressed excitement. A particularly good selection of films, topical, comic and dramatic, support the big star story.

The Globe Theatre has the latest pictorial telling of Elinor Glyn s famous story "Three Weeks," a remarkable presentation of a story about which there has waged) so great a controversy. The pictorial representation is robbed of much of the salaoiousness which is so typical of the aristocratic Elinor's books, but it is nevertheless a bedrock presentation of an unassailable fact that; marriage or no marriage, the woman turns sooner or later to the man of her heart, just as the plant turns to the light. Worked out with extreme brilliance, the pictures carry one from one phase to another of the stirring heart drama, and hammer in the salient fact that man lays down lines for the conduct of sex relationships that have no real appeal 1 to nature. The acting and pbotography are of the highest possible excellence. "Fatty's Chance Acquaintance" shows the rotund but active comediian indulging in those amiable film fancies which have made his name a household word in five continents.

"The Path Forbidden" is shown in all its rugged strength at the Princess theatre—five thousand teet of special story adapted from the powerful book by J. B. Hymer. I remember no recent film story that has followed more closely the tent of the book on which it is based. It

has the advantage over the book that it is enacted in superb surroundings, and the tragedies, the hopes "and fears and the great ultimate victory set down definitely for the eye to.see. There are tender depths in this tragic and heart searching story that will make it remembered when other stories less poignant and, real have passed from the mind. Enormous trouble has been taken to obtain the most effective tableaux, and it is photographically a masterpiece. The principal actors and actresses are remarkably convincing. Other films includte gems gathered fiom various sources, educational, ammsing and topical. But "The Path Forbidden" should certainly not be missed. If seen it will not be forgotten.

Mies Ivy Scott, who left Australia for the States a few years ago, is now playing lead in "Robin Hood" on tour in America. This is a highclass oom/io opera by Reginald da Koven, an American composer. It has been a success over a big stretch of years. Gg> -® • © "He would be a thin-skinned Hebrew who could find cause for offence in 'Potash and Perlmutter,' " recently wrote the critic of the New York "World." "The play is no skit on the Jews. Rather is it an exposition, of the fact that besides .possessing the oldest faith in the world, the Jew is gifted with the possession of both humour and sentiment. There is cause for both laughter and tears in the humours and pathos of the illustrious partnership of Abe Potash and Mawrus Perlmutter."

The Paris correspondent of London "Truth" writes: — "Sarah Bernhardt," says a Bordeaux M.D., "is a feline in vital resistance. To bear an amputation high above the knee at seventy was in itself a severe test of physical endurance. She bad long suffered from overwork, gouty andl rheumatic trouble, varicose veins, and very painful knees. There has been a tendency now and then to Brightism, and with uremic crises. The latter since the operation nearly threatened her life. But she as now reported; to have reverted to the normal, and to be out of danger. Her life for thirty years has been agitated, restless, fatiguing speculatively venturesome, and a fight against time. Her meals she generally took during rehearsals, and the day through she supped with too much brain excitement to eat with any appetite. Nor could she sleep. Her choice of Belle Isle as a residence, some distance out on the Atlantic, given her state of health, could not have been a worse one. The old fort and barracks, a sort of pigeon house, which she bought for £4000, and on which she spent £10,000, is too damp to be cured. Wall plaster is constantly dripping or 'sweating' in her living rooms, and though she cam have the warmth of a sou-wester in the grounds (of semi-tropical richness) she can have no sunshine. Still she loves this island home; its myrtles, fuchsias, geraniums, and West Indian fruit trees raise her spirit."

There aire many pathetic little episodes and much clever by-play throughout the performance of "A Scrape o' the Pen," which goes on at His Majesty's Theatre next Tuesday. Whenever tears are near the surface the consummate art of Mr Graham Moffat has turned the tears into laughter. The audience will notice this right throughout the play that whenever the tension is becoming anyway strained this clever artist works in some of his finest comedy touches. © © © The salaries paid to American movie artists are very good, and to people engaged the work goes on for the full 52 weeks in the year. Leading people are paid] anything from £17 to £125 a week, according to their value. Stars are paid big money—Maurice Costello would get about £87 a week. Mary Pickford - is oni the £380 mark, and Charles Chaplin lifts £360 a week—but these are some of the outstanding figures. In the main the money is good, the work steady, and the conditions reasonable.