"GIRL ON THE FILM"

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2604, 28 October 1915, Page 3

"GIRL ON THE FILM"

.. . / LAUGHABLE MUSICAL FARCE !'The Girl on tho I'ilm," a musical farce in three acts. Cast; Max Daly C. 11. Workman. Valentine Twiss Paul Plunfcet Doddio — •— .'f, 1 ' Gen. Fitzgibbon, V.C., D.S.O. Alfred Frith Sergeant Tozer Leslie J^arcla.v Lord Benuey Hugh Hiintley Toiu.■ Brown Ohns V\ ion Micawber iMiddleton Olutterbuck ; W. H. Rawlins 'Winifred Dorothy Bvutiton Linda .. Daisy Yates Signora Maria Wane Eaton Lady Porchester Connie Renee Mrs. Clutterbuck Bono Connelly Euphemia Knox Florence \ le As a musical play, "The Girl ou tho Flljn" does not matter very much, and suffers by comparison with both' of its lively predecessors,, but as a. hyporl'rivolous farce in a musical dressing it is a jolly laughter-raiser, exuding an abundanco of clever low comedy and a gallery of burlesquey characters whose absurdities never pall. The dialogue is brightly written in up-to-date jargo.i of tho theatre and picture show, but with the exception of two or three numbers the music has no intrinsic value—it is merely part of the dressing of- tho farce, and tinldes away merrily enough without catching one's fancy. "The Girl on the Film" is a burlesque of Teutonic origin on the kinematograph. Max Daly, a popular cinema actor, in partnership with tho vulgar but amusing Euphemia Knox, has a film hatchery employing'a host of people. Max has conceived a Napoleonic scenario, in which the Emperor of the French becomes smitten with a miller's daughter, whose lover is about to be shot for something that is not made very clear. For the part of the daughter, a celebrated Italian actress, Signora Cestioulata, has been engaged, and so overpowering is the beauty ■ and temperament of this lady that Maxfalls in love with her, but not knowing how to address her, depends on Winifred Fitzgibbon to convey Jiis rhapsodies to his inamorata. Winifred, who is really in love with Max, is only known ,t'o the latter as a boy, she having coriccived the idea of masquerading as a youtl in order to secure a part in the picture about to be taken. When the company adjourn to old Clutterbuck's farm to enact the story, Winifred, at Max's request, writes the Signora a fake love letter, which sends the Italian actress off her head with rage and mortification. She throws up the engagement on the spot, and Max is'grieving over the wreck of his great picture, when Winifred offers to find a substitute and presents h'erself. Tho picture is a great success, and is shown the' same , evening for charitable' purposes, at General litzgibbon's hoine. All goes well until the General discovers that it is his own daughter playing the leading part, when he orders the lights to be tamed up, and demands an explanation, which is more or less given. The end sees Max and Winifred blissful and everybody else jolly. Onco more the chief honours fell to Miss Dorothy Brunton as Winifred, a part which gave her a chance to display ■ her pronounced versatility. Her assumption of the part of the boy in the first act was a captivating bit of acting that appealed to everyone, as in manner and address she was "one of the bloods of the village," without los-. iiig for a moment her native charm. As the maid 110 flaw. could bo detected in her . acting, and her every point was made without strain. The two most notable musical numbers fell to Miss Bruntonfs lot in the melodious ballad, "Tho Mill," and the expressively interpreted patriotic song,' "Your King and Country Need You,"' which earned a storm of applause. Miss Marie Eaton showed fine powers, of studied vehemence 'as the fiery Italian actress,-and the aria '.'All Che Vedo," ■which she declaimed in her boil over, was sung with admirable fury. Her decided methods and handsome appearance were features of a. clever characterisation. Mr. C. H. Workman was clever and resourceful as Max Daly, and his burlesque'of Napoleon was conceived in the happiest spirit.: Mr. W. H. Rawlins was as comical as ever.as Cornelius Clutterbuck, and Mr.' Field Fisher as the farcical stage manager of the picture company gave a capital bit of nonsensical fooling. An outstandingly good performance was. given by Miss Florence Vio as Euphemia Knox, whose bourgeoise vulgarity protruded violently in every scene, always with the most comical effect. Messrs. Paul Plunket and Alfred Frith and Miss Daisy Yates also appeared to advantage. The colour schemes in the different /acts were arranged in the best of taste, and the ballet and chorus were equal to the kaleidoscopic demands mado upon it. The orchestra (under Mr. Harry Burton) and tho leader (Mr. S. Solomons) deserve a word of praise for their uniformly good work. Mr. H. Burcher-.as the producer is also to be creclltect with good Work. "The Girl on the Film" will be produced again this evening, when the season will close.