GAY "FOLLIES."

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1652, 20 January 1913, Page 7

GAY "FOLLIES."

COSTUME COMEDY AT THE OPERA house. .

A very excellent - company,; as good, in 'many respects, as any of its predecessors m its own particular line, and in somo respects even better, is the* "Gay . Follies" troupe of musical costume comedy entertainers which Mr; Alf. Linloy presented to a large at tlio Opera Houso on Saturday night, in the inaugural iK-rfonii-anco of what .the public will do doubt regard as an all too brief, season' 'of on<i week, In tlio majority of its members, the company ,19, individually, cxcellcnt-in its ensemble, quite, delightful. One left the theatre with a sense of satisfaction s the lull enjoyment of an entertainment which proved to be unexpectedly good.Tlio company is /under tlio genial discipline of Mr. Percy Clifton, a oomodian who requires nothing from us to' strengthen his reputation for good clean comedy and spontaneous stage wit, and his humorous eongs and monologues kept the auditorium in a simmer of merriment. Another comedian of lighter vein—and weight—is Mr. Hugh _C. Steyne, whom one was unfeignedlv glad to meet. His repertoiro is of the humorous "society entertainer" class, his production is clover, and Nature has aided Art by endowing him with a mobile and highly expressive countenance, in the .Lusanno Sisters tho audience was introduced to a pair of graceful dancers and singers of catchy ditties.: Miss Lulu Lusannescored'oneofthe hits of the evening with .her "Laughing Song," inwhieli each verso concluded; with a shriek-of laughter from the rest of the company. So apparently spontaneous was their merriimmediately communicated itself to the audienoo which laughed' immoderately. The two soiibrettys also introduced a "Temptation Rag" dance, an exhilarating rag-time, that pleased the eye as an occentrio. "Cnraboo Dance." Miss Iris Edgar, whose light but sweet and perfectly audible soprano voice, added to her piquancy in comedy of tho light opera class, wais immediately .a warm favourite

nth tho audience. She was associated wit! Jr. Kennedy Black (tho light baritone o lie company) in "Muddled Melodies," oi amusing duet, whero each sang sinmlUiric ously n different song—and tho two nick dies Wended unexpectedly well—and wit] Mr. Percy Clifton, in that comcdian' laughable duologuo, "Writing a Play,' while her solo items included the humor ous song, "Bella and the Beaux." Mis Lily Moore, au . attactivo 6erio, sani "When I Conduct the Band," in oostum< (assisted by tho company), and also did ai oxoellent piece of work in her nssocintioi with Mr. Perov Dalton (of -whom' mon anon), in tho duet, "Oh You Beautifu Doll/ : Her poso as the doll was disiindl; artistic and effective. Miss Cissy O'Keefo a pleasing contralto, sang "Caller Iler rin " with a touch of native atmosplien that invested the old Scottish ballad witl a new interest, and her singing of "Meli sando in tho Wood" was also pleasing Mr. Clifford O'Kcefe, the basso of tho com' pany. has a pleasing voice, of liquid quality, but lacks that epibe of animatior whioh is retjuirod to . make his work convincinff. His pronunciation, also, is nol beyona criticism, nor do eomo of his item; appear to bo happily selected. Livelici songs might inspire greater animation and produce an interesting improvement. In Mr; Percy Dalton, who sings Irish ditties and dances wonderfully well, ono encounters something new in tho art of tripping lightly. Mr. Dalton not only dances well —his step-dancing j B perfectly finished— but ho dances expressively, and his expression is quaintly humorous. He jokes with his feet, and ho amuses his audience, while his "kneo wriggles'? and "spine kinks" evoke roars of laughter.-Mr,', Dalton is a distinct asset to the company. Mr. Kennedy Black is a pleasing baritone, and his ballad singing is very acceptable. Also, lie is a hard worker in concerted items,' In which tho company is distinctly attractive. One of tho best of tho concerted items was a picnio scene, with hampers and so forth, bumpers, and toa6t fongs, sung with gusto and abandon. Another was Mr. Percy Clifton's "P.C. Green" (a poliooman chorus), whioh proooded tho finale. Tho programme is a generous one, the items referred to being but ft Section from tho series to introduce tho artists. The stago is artistically draped, the lighting effects aro very pretty indeed, while four statues of tho "Venus of Milo" (by the Carrara Company) add an effective touch to tho ornamentation of the stage. Mr. W. n. Butlor is musical dirocor, and tho general entertainment is materially enhanced by tho orchestral accompaniments. Tho programmo will bo repeated to-night.