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New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1590, 14 October 1920, Page 36

Miss Amy Evans and Mr. Fraser Gange were greeted with enthusiasm by a large audience in the Concert Chamber on Saturday night, when they gave the first of their farewell series of concerts. Miss Evans’ rich and beautiful voice, so abundant in volume, her regal poise and sympathetic interpretation, again won an appreciable triumph. Her opening number was “Pleurez Mes Yeux,” from Massenet’s “Le Cid,” and it was a magnificent presentment she gave of this poignant and emotional num-

ber. A prolonged outburst of applause resulted in Miss Evans responding with “The Prayer,” from “La Tosca,” of which she gave a feeling and authoritative performance. “Angels, Ever Bright and Fair” (Handel) was another vocal achievement, and lighter numbers which delighted her hearers were “The Birth of Dawn,” “The Sailor’s Wife,” “The Stars,” “Wind in the Wheat,” and “The Garden Wakes.” Mr. Fraser Gange displayed his finished art and gift of transporting the spirit of a song. His characterisation is superb, and he exemplified it in his artistic handling of numbers ranging from florid “Vittoria! Vittoria!” to sea songs and Irish melodies. The singers had to more than treble their programmed items, and their closing duet, “La, Ci Darem,” from “Don Giovanni,” was the signal for another tremendous ovation, two more recalls being insisted upon before the audi-

ence would leave. Mr. Harold Elvins also came in for a large share of admiration, both for his admirable accompaniments and eloquent solo work. The second concert was given on Monday evening, the eminent artcreating sensational interest amongst local music lovers. The remaining recitals will take place on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.

It is doubtful if at any time previously so many big theatrical names have been seen on one programme as is the case of the J. C. Williamson “Bing Boys on Broadway” revue. From England and America are Misses Jennie Hartley, Muriel Hudson, and Mr. Dan Agar- Better known to New Zealand audiences also in the cast are Misses Emma Temple, Myrtle Power and Maggie Dickinson. Another newcomer is Mr. Dave Dramin, from the Follies, New York.

A play off the beaten track is “Tiger Rose,” made more so by the heights realised in the stage effects inspired by the art of David Belasco in the original presentation, and reproduced faithfully under the J. and N. Tait direction. A drama of North-West Canada, it centres around a young waif named-Rose Bocion, the ward of McCollins, the Hudson Bay Company’s factor, and the idol of all the men in the camp. Rose likes them all but loves none, until “her man” comes on the scene in the person of a young engineer. The’ fact that he shoots: a man and is hunted down mercilessly only strengthens her love, and it is in the incidents concerning his escajpe that all the thrills are developed. The storm scene (which enables him to elude his pursuers) is wonderful. Nothing has ever approached it for realism. The rain comes down with a torrential pour, as if the heavens had opened, the wind moans and shrieks, there is- vivid lightning and terrifying thunder. You watch enthralled, conscious of the master mind that could create such vivid, compelling pictures of the elements. Miss Marie Ilka as Rose gives a charmingly appealing study of the untamed, adorable, naively irreligious young French-Canadian waif. She deftly portrays each stage of her feelings, whether she is defying Father Thibault, coaxing the factor, pacifying Pierre, wheedling the mounted police, or tigerishly defending her lover. Mr. , Ethan Allen as Michael Devlin, of ‘the Mounteds, successfully puts in the necessary dramatic touches appertaining to the man-hunt. Mr. C. Henry Gordon gives an excellent conception of the French fiddler devoted to Rose. Mr. Douglas Ross as the factor, Mr. George Bryant as good Father Thibault, Mr. John Waller as the doctor, are responsible for satisfactory character studies of divergent type, while Mr. Frank Hatherly is the earnest young engineer who caused all the trouble through* carrying out the unwritten law. The Breaking of Dawn is another fine setting that is a' feature of the play. “Tiger Rose” was given its final performance at His Majesty’s last night.

To memorise the musical side of a 2% hours’ show is no light task. This is the accomplishment of Mr. Ivor Weir, musical director with the Smart Set Diggers. Mr. Weir is a Christchurch boy, and on his return after the war he received an engagement to go over to Australia and take up the position he now occupies so worthily. He is the composer of the coster number that goes with such a swing in their programmes, “When Yer Goes Out Walkin’,” also of the

jolly opening chorus, and the finale of the spectacular Eastern scena. It was at the suggestion of. Emmett Adams, the well-known London composer (“Bells of Sb. Mary’s” fame), that Mr- Weir launched his gifts in that particular line, his first essay being “The Mad Jazz Razz,” which he wrote in England and is now on the gramophone records. He has performed at the principal music halls in London as pianist with the New Zealand boys, and has had plenty of valuable experience to give maturity to his talent.- ■

Miss Jennie Hartley, the new Emma (Duchess of Dull water) in the J. C. Williamson “Bing Boys on Broadway” revue, began her stage career under Sir William Stoll in vaudeville. During a portion of the time she played on the same programme as Dan Agar and Phil Smith.

The “Bing Boys” will be here again on Thursday, October 14. Having survived the terrors of Piccadilly, London, they will be shown in action on Broadway,, New York. This latest J. C. Williamson revue will introduce a number of new artists, including the famous English comedian Dan Agar, who will impersonate Lucifer Bing- Other- artists of importance include Muriel Hudson and Dave Dramin. Miss Hudson is a character soubrette, and comes from the New York Follies. Mr. Dramin is a dancing specialist from the same famous establishment.

Miss Maggie Dickinson, always welcome as an exponent of the art of terpsichore, will make her final appearance in New Zealand with “The Bing Boys on Broadway” revue, due here to-morrow (Thursday) under the J. C. Williamson management. Miss Dickinson at the conclusion of the “Bing Boys” tour will journey to America and London, where in both places she has been offered fine dancing engagements. * * * * Constance Talmadge is at the Strand this week in “A Virtuous Vamp.” It’s a picture full of snap and ginger, all about the latest love angle, and every few feet there’s a lesson in feminine vamping. The situations are embellished, too,' by the fine playing of a first-class orchestra under Mrs. H. J. Bentley’s experienced direction..

Comedy is not a matter of inches. Jennie Hartley, Dan Agar and Phil Smith, of the J. C. Williamson “Bing Boys on Broadway” revue, added to one another would just about equal (in height) one usual pantomime boy.

“I know the audience expect me to appear in kilts and sing ‘Annie Laurie’ or ‘My Ain Folk,’ ” chatted Major Kenneth Maclaine, chief of the Scottish clan Maclaine, who is in his second week at the Auckland Opera House. His turn, by the way, is of the approved English style. His smart, up-to-date dressing is a particular feature, and there is no accent in his singing to indicate that he’s “The Maclaine of Lochbuie.” He gets his light numbers over smoothly and suavely. It was in his act, as he now gives it, that Mr. Ben J. Fuller saw him at the Victoria. Palace, London, and engaged him for the Australasian circuit. Major Maclaine has a long and distinguished record —15th King’s Hussars, 17th Middlesex (Duke of Wellington’s Own), and the 9th Royal Sussex Regiments—and during the recent war he came into close contact with our own boys. How he endeared himself to them may be gathered from a summing up by Miss Dorothy Brunton, the Australasian idol, whom he met in London. She says, “I only saw him perform once, and he was a riot with the ‘Diggers’—to whom he is a kind of Father Confessor. I got to hear of him first through his looking after ‘stony-broke’ Diggers, and hauling many ‘bad ones’ from the clutches of the military law. His affection for our boys amounts to an absolute hobby.” *♦* \ * Miss Leah Myers, one of the voung stars with the recent J. C. Williamson Gr.-.nd Opera Company, intends leaving xmortly for New York, where she will continue her studies.

Miss Aileen Beresford will hold her dance recital this year at King’s Theatre on October 23 and 25. Ah elaborate programme has been arranged and a large number of exceptionally clever pupils will take part in a performance that promises to have unusual features.