THE THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 199, 11 May 1918, Page 11

THE THEATRE

(By Sylvius.) The Popular Piorrots. Tho popular English Pierrots, who have boon playing in Adclaido and Sydney for tho past tix months, are duo to arrive at tho Concert Chamber on Thursday next, and thoro they will remain for fiomo three months, making tho little hall "a homo from home," Tho Pierrots in thoir lino . ; scel all others. They spccialiso in comedy and popular music, and do so to some effect. Tho personnel of tho company remains, as heretofore. That brilliant little soubrette and character actress and singer, Miss Elsa Langley (Cyril Alaudo said she was another Vesta Tillcy), is still with (ho Pierrots, as aro also Mice Wilson, W P. Turner, Louis Mitchell, Charles Lawrence, David Lya.ll, Leslie Austin, and others dear to tho public. There will bo no seats vaca.nl; on Thursday, Mr. Thomas! Ada Reeve Next Week. On Saturday evening next Wellington pluygoing public will bo given the opportunity of welcoming onco more that Milliant artist in the realm of lighter Homj, Miss Ada Reeve, an artist who has perhaps made a dcopcr impression in her class than any other lady performer that could bo mentioned. Miss Hcevo will ho supported by Mr. Talleu" Andrews, tenor; Nikola, presridigituto.Jr; Kennedy Allen, tho London comiquo; Harry Jacobs, tho singiug conductor; Rogern. tho mimic of musical instruments and other implements of torture; tho "Two Thrills on Skates," Lucy Linda, the dancer; mid ibo English Comsdy Company.

New Star and Play. Of tho now J. and N. Tait production. "Do Luxe Annie," tho Sydney "Sun" obsorves :— "Tho opening scene of "De Luxe Annie," gave Miss Emelio Polini plenty of scope for presenting variety of omotion. She established herself with tho bouso in (hat opening scene. Her grace and ease, the pleasant intonations of her voice, the indefinable quality which establishes links between the actress and tho audience, all had their share in the undoubted success which sho achieved, Briefly, tho story of Silky Ann (readers of American fiction will remember her by the alternative name) was tho story of a lost memory. With hor brain partially paralysed by an accident, Julio Kendall fell into tho hands of a skilful and attractive rascal, and became, under his tutelage, one of tho most notorious confidence women of America. The task of Miss Polini was first, to show Silky Ami tiring of her life of crime under the influence, of love, for the relation between her and Jimnvlo Filzpatrick was solely a business partnership. She had fallon in love with her own Husband, though sho does' not know it. Bluff, fines'su. terror, and despair pursued each other quickly in the part, and the actress soon, had .the whole sympathy of the house, despite a quickly suppressed giggle fro.-n a. few who obviously did not follow (he moaning of the situation. Silky Ann conducting tho pronounced flirtation which would appeal to an elderly country storekeper, showed Miss Polini at home in a broadisb comedy aspect of tho character, but the greatest test of her powers was reserved for the scene, tho cliinnx of tho play, whero sho found herself in her own home, and by lwtrayals of subconscious memory led ud to the unravelling of the plot, . which was, maybe, a little mystifying to thoso who know nothing of the story. It is billed as a "psychological play of mystery," and might as well be called "physical," for its thenio is the accepted medical device, of reconstructing the incident which _ wrought tho injury, and by a shock in precisely similar circumstances, clearing tho brain. It was a trying ordeal, and Miss Polini camo through it with flying colours. Never losing restraint, sho reached intensity, and with r> Ciio control of a speaking voice, which is in itself a great gift, she got every ounce out of tin part. Mr. Cyril Mackay is credited with a fine performance .as Jimmy Filzpatrick, and Miss Olivo Wilton, Mr. Harmon Lee, G.- Soupar;- and- Claronce Blr.kiston- do aood work iu the new play. ■

"The Masqucrador." "Tho Masquerador'' (says tho "Australian") is a thoroughly considered, wellwritten drania. of 20 characters, two parts, and obo mm. There nro excellent actors engaged in tho cast, several nt llieui playing their parts with sound judgment and effort. I'et one Atlas has to carry the weight of this little world of tho imagination, and Mr. Post, by those sound qualities which distinguish good acting, does it—save, ' perhaps, in ono instance—.vithout manifest effort. The gruesome death-scent in the third act was perhaps a bit more vivid, more highly coloured than we aro accustomed to, but in nil othor situations his judgment was sound his artistic sense uniinpeachablo, and ho used a naturally good voice with practised yet imperceptible skill. It is long since a visiting actor has made a better impression. Of niemium hoight, Mr. Post adds soniettuug to his stature in a certain stateliness of manner, and as a subtle touch it is worth noting that ho drew a consistent difference in department between the doubles of the piny. His speech, is the English of the Seven Seas—neither American, Australian, nov English, in tho local sense—without geographical nft'ectation of any kind. Clear and iucisivo, it is tho speech that apDoals to speakcra oj tho English tongue, .vhntover part of the world they may inhabit. 1 Evo Chilco'™ of tho play is romantic, and Miss Thais Lawton makes her so. Sho is so anxious for (ho success of lior husband that when his double falls in lovo with her one must assumo'hor discrimination as to personality somewhat blinded by her hunger for affection. Tn Miss Lawton's caso there was immediately after her first entrance a fear that her acting might be marred by certain slight mannerisms in over-emphasis, l>ut in a foiv minutes the impression had disappeared. Miss Ruby Clifton and Messrs. Grogan M'Mahon and Eardley Turner aro praised for their work. Notes. Signor Cacialli, the basso of the last Italian Opera Company, is now firmly established in Molbonrne as a teacher of vocalism, and is a frequent contributor to concert programmes. Mr. Allen Doone, tho Irish actor from Amoricn, has returned to Australia from tho "United States, and is at present organising a new company to tour. Miss Edna Keeley did not return with Mr. Doouo. Mr. Philip Newbury and Miss Amy Murphy, who have been fuliiljing an engagement on Fullors's vaudeville circuit, havo returned to Australia. Mr. Alexandor Watson, the celobratod olocutionist, whose recitals of over three years ago wcro such nn intellectual treat, is onco moro in Australia, and- may return' again to Now Zealand. For thrco years post ho has been working as an official entortainer to tho Britsh Army in (raining at Home and in Franco.