TIVOLI FOLLIES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2840, 3 August 1916, Page 7

TIVOLI FOLLIES

BRILLIANT MERRYMAKERS AT THE OPERA HOUSE Once in a while there comes to Wellington a company of entertainers, the .members of which are capable of endorsing all that, is said of them by tho advance agent. Among these must be accounted tho Tivoli Follies Pantomime Company, which frivolled so brilliantly at the Grand Opera House last evening, aud will continue to do so until Saturday week. Mr. Hugh D. M'lntosh. introduced his famous Follies to New Zealand last year, when a good impression was made, but in tho interim tho. performance has boon improved out of all recognition, and the company has Uen strengthened by a bunch of comedians, singers, and dancers that are vitally purposeful in all they, do, and the stage management is flawless, in that the vivacity, aplomb, and finish is sustained and strainless, every act or interlude being liberally sprinkled with that elusive ingredient which the Americans call "pep," tor lack of a more expressive word. The Follies entertainment is divided into two parts. For the first hour there is tho talented Belgian Concert Party, Mons. Jacques 80l- (tenor), F. Hoogstoel (violinist), H. Penn (pianist), and A. Baroert ('cello). The instrumentalists, who arc each a littlo hotter than capable performers, played the familiar "Pout and Peasant" overture at express speed. With the assistance of Will Quintrell's orchestra of a dozen performers, each of the Belgians played a solo, and M. 801, a cultured tenor of good quality, sings an excerpt from grand opera, and that ever-charming ballad - "I'll Sing Theo Songs of Araby," a musical interlude quite a little show in itself. JfJhort and Little, two amazingly clever acrobats, with a strong comedy vein, showed that even there is something new in this over-worked line. A very delightful aud refined singer Is Miss Ella • Caspers, tho golden-toned mezzo-contralto, who saug with arresting charm and culture, tho ballads "Sink, Sink, Red Sun," "Coming Home," and "In My Garden." Miss Caspers' voice is beautifully placed; and sho demonstrated how simplo it is to onnnciato clearly without loss of tonal charm. Walter Weoins, an acquired taste in burnt-cork comedians, with a quiet, insinuative style, joked his way into early favour, and never lost iiis grip. Concluding the first part was. tho recital of Henri Cammaertz's fine poem, "Carillon," a song of hope to tho shattered Belgian people, to which' Sir Edward Elgar has set noble music. This poem was recited by Mr. Frank Greene, attired in Belgian uniform, and he was most effective, the climax taking the form of a" tableau,' with a swordgirt girl,. of appropriately artistic design, posed as Belgium, before the colours of her . country, with tho soldier making obeisauco at- her feet, as tho bolls chimo out their messago of hope in the future. The simplicity and directness of idea was capital, aud "Carillon" may bo said to have been one of the hits of tho evening. Then came the Follies—a gay, laughing throng of keen, clever people in a sort of pantomimic revue, that caught the eye as pleasingly as it tickled the senses. Music, dance, and laughter in the merriest alliance caught aud held the audience from tlio rise to tho fall of the curtain. There wero so many good, tilings that tho old-I'nshioncil encore was forgotten, as' there- was always something better secreted in tho wings. Miss Vera Pearco, who is known as the. Queen of tho Follies, by reason of hor talent aud unmistakablo beauty, is a muclwinpi'ovcd artist, and her numbers, "Rackety Boo" (with its prety Folly ballet), "Tho Kcop Fit Girl," with its gymnastic trimmings and clever knock-, about comedy, wero among tho brightest momeuts.oi' tho evening. She was daringly picturesque and graceful in the Hawaiian and poi dances, and showed her ripening comedy senso in "Bits of Nonsenso," in which tho comedy team figured laughably. Miss Thclma Rayo also found much favour with the audience. She was naivo and reposeful in tho "January" number, and was highly ornate as tho central figure in "China , Town," in which gorgeous effects aro; produced with a variegated mazo of Chineso lanterns. Littlo Jean Keith is a brilliant dancor, and desorved all tho applause 'her "Soul of Champagne" and Russian dances elicited Tho exuberant Jack Cannot returned to view as "Colonel Knut," gagging and acting pure foolishnoss in irresistible style. His jokes aro near tho border-line at times, but his clover gift for burlesque character, as tho Colonel, the old veteran of Chelsea, and in "Mexican Joe." kept the audience tittering with sheer glee. Not less amusing is George Weloh, a burlesque 'Txiozcr," who claims "tone" and 'family" between his gurglings. Mr. Welch is a

subtle laugh-getter who never fails. He was at his best in "The New Conductor," a burlesque on a vaudeville rehearsal, which caused ecreams of laughter. Billy Kego, the diminutive comedy acrobat, is a very valuable member of the Follies. He was extremely amusing in. the choking contest, as the "chokeo," and as Oscar, in the Tehear6al stunt, was the stage carpenter to the manner born. Mr. Frank Greene sang the Irish song, "A. Bit of Heaven," and in "Holly Deal*" was given a setting of pretty colleens. A brilliantly conspicuous feature of tho Follies is the highly decorative ballet of beautiful girls, who are frocked adorably, and form a dazzling frame to many of the pretty pictures presented. The orchestra, under Mr. Qumtrell, is vimful and well-balanced. . The management has invited a party of wounded soldiers to attend the matineo on Saturday. His ■ Excellency tho Governor has also notified that lie will attend tho Follies during the season.