BLASCHECK.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1379, 4 March 1912, Page 3

BLASCHECK.

A GIFTED ENTERTAINER, The, art of the solo entertainer is perhaps th? most difficult of those appertaining to (ho stage. Without costume, support, "make-up," or mise-en-scene, ho has to encompass the full range of the emotions, and by tho sheer force of his talents create a reflection of his own imagination in that of his audience. If ho does not succeed in playing tho lover, (ho society ass, the comic old man, the pathetic old tragedian, and the hundred and one phases of character he sets out to depict with sufficient conviction, ho fails in his mission. He must bo a romancist, tragedian, comedian, mimic, singer, and reciter, all in one, and even all thoso talents would count for nought wero they not based on a pleasing personality. An actor may iudge along well enough in a particular groove without what Mr. J. M. Barrio describes as "charm," because the audience only gets bits of him, ho is ono of the changing throng, but tho monologinst is there the wliole time—lio is the show—and wero ho not superlatively gifted his mumming would pall before the programme was half over. In Mr. Joseph Blascheck, .who made his first appearance at the 'Opera House on Saturday evening, we have an entertainer whoso finished work and profound versatility charms and delights inordinately. There is no end to his delicious drollery, no limit to his gallery of portraits, grave and gay. That is why tho audience was surprised and disappointed when the curtain fell; surprised that the closing hour had arrived so soon; disappointed because the supply had been cut off long before anyone was satisfied. The new entertainer is just as clever and perhaps rather more versatile tlian any of his predecessors whom wo havo seen in Wellington. Blascheck does not play tho piano, but otherwise he is a master entertainer—quiet, artistic, resourceful, and somewhat magnetic. Ho is a better character actor than a singor or comedian, and his serious work was a revelation. There \s no set programme. Tho full repertoire of both Mr. Blascheck and Miss Mildred Wrighton. is set out on the sheet, with a number opposite each, and Mr. Biascheck announces each item in somewhat the same manner as a clergyman does tho hymns on the Sabbath. The idea is not a good one, as tho house lights are kept up the whole timo to enable the audience to read tlie name of the number announced. It would bo much better if the performer announced the name of the item and permitted the auditorium lights to be lowered. Thero were several complaints on this score heard cu Saturday evening. Mr. Blascheck and Miss Wrighton opened t'.io programme with the duet. "Singers and Talkers," which exhibited neither artist to much advantage. Mr. Blascheck made his impression in a clever monologue entitled "The 'Jhree Ages of Man," in which his powersas an exponent of character were manifested, and forthwith the audience took him to its heart. In "The J .IV Mr. Blnscheck has devised a humorous character that will live long in tho memory. It is that of a rural "J. 1 ,.," a crusty hectoring old fellow who leans on tho clerk for his knowledge of what is going forward, and makes serious blunders when relying on himself. It was a subtle and delightfully comic study in which the performer displayed his powers in facial expression and a'fine spirit of broad humour. "Oh. Mcmorv" was familiarised hero by its author," Mr. Leslie Harris. Mr. Blascheck ar the old gentleman with tho defective m'*nory was excellent. Albert Chevalier s "A. Fallen Star" is not well written, but Mr. Blnscheck managed to get a good deal of rugged pathos into the old actor s wnil. In the cockney lament "Mrs. Seroggins," the entertainer,' as the husband who grieves over his wife's literary leanings, was to the manner born, and raised shrieks of laughter. In the second half of the programme Mr. Blascheck essayed "Mark Antony's Oration" (from "Julius Caesar"), which brought about a regrettable contretemps, lie had only spoken the first three words, when some one? in the gallery guffawed derisively, and after the following words,"'Lend me your ears!" were spoken there was a further interruption, whereupon the recitor made a gesticulation of despair and walked upstage. Then in the s-.v.cctest manner he saiil he would substitute a recital entitled "The "Uncle" (Hell). This proved to bo a very fine dramatic poem, in which a crazed old man relates to his scared nephew how he did away with his (the nephew's) father bacmiso of his love for the boy's mother. The selection was a happy one, as besides disclosing Mr. Biascheck as a powerful dramatic actor, it paved Hie way for the "Oration" which proved to be the finest serious recital of the evening. Mr. Hlascheck speaks his Shakespeare with such force and a perfect understanding that no slndc of meaning can be misinterpreted. The gradual crescendo of Antony's restrained grief and passion and the changing note in the references to Brutus were all part of a well-thought-out rending. The recital corned a burst of applause, and in response to the ovation, he recited with delicate charm a lender little bit of senti_ ment entitled "The Little Rod Ribbon." Ws will look with pleasure for more Shakespeare Miss -Mildred Wrighton, who sings songs of every emotional colour, also accompanies Mr. NlascheeVs musical monologues sympathetically. She s-ings light songs pleasantly enough, though tonic of her higher notes nro inclined to be "edgy." Her work is bright, but somewhat devoid of character. She sail" Gounod's "Serenade" (in French) very prettily, getting just the snft fluty notes that were missed in her other snnss. In lighter vein she rang "Kentucky Bnbe," "Dingle Dangle Dell." "Mother's Maxims," "If You Only Knew," and "Islnis." Of tho duets br-lwcen the two "Country Courtship," "Courtship am'. Marriage," and "Chestnuts" were most diverting. Mr. Blascheck and Miss Wrighton are to appear at the Opera House up till Friday evening. The programme will be subject to changes nightly.