MISS ADA REEVE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 206, 20 May 1918, Page 7

MISS ADA REEVE

ENGLISH COMEDIENNE AGAIN TRIUMPHS. Miss Ada Eeeve's_ triumphal progress through tho Dominion was advanced a stage on Saturday, when the brilliant English comedienne commenced a farewell season before a largo and enthusiastic audience, Miss Reeve's art is extraordinarily complete. She selects Bonus which for the most part touch her audience; simplo tender ditties that embody in a subtle manner a curious appeal to the primitive emotions. Possibly to read the lyrics of some of the songs. thnt_ appeal would not register, but when given tiioso wonderful touches, as reflected in voice, gesture, and expression, they become vital with life, sympathy, and.humour. In Mis 3 Reeve's case tlierc is abundance of both humour _ and sympathy, and she uses her rare intellectuality in making each song a vivid picture, firave or gay-. So she conquers and banishes criticism. Miss Reeve received a very genial- reception on Saturday evening" and lnndn short work in eiiftlns- into the affections of her delighted audience. T!>r first song. "There's a Plnco Called Home" was redolent of that sweet sentiment which attaches to home with everv soldier. "Nursery Rhymes" gave a subtly humorous twist to the best-known rhymes, overy point beinir archly made by the fair performer. "Nobody Knows, Nobody Cares." gives Miss Reeve the opportunity of showing her powere in emotional Mtftip. Thai: it is a .movint power, the flutter-of handkerchiefs all over the house nliowod. Tlumi came that delightful comic effusion. "When Richard tlio First Sat on the Throne," in which Miss Ueovo, with many a "Gndzonks!" "Odds Bodkins!" and a' "By My Halirfamc!" sang of tho disabilities of King Richard's days. This Dumber fairly brought down the house. Then followed in responso to applauses there was no stonpiiig, such gems of song, humorous and sentimental. "Aint Ho. Jim?" "Foolish Question." "Tooral-li-Ooral-li-Add-itv," "Order, Please," "Tennessee" (in which the audience wore persuaded to join in), and, finally, as there seemed to bo no way of ending the riotous applause, Miss Reeve announced that she would sing the duet, "That Simplo Melody," from "Winnio Brooke, Widow," with Mr. Andrews. This ingeniously written number waa sung with a great deal of charm, and was well received. Miss Eeeve occupied the stage for thirty minutes, and was as fresh and vital in- mßnner and voice at the finish as she waa, at tho start. • Her unflagging spirits, her prettily-timbred voice, and her natural magnetism and personality place this zealous artist in a special nicho of her own in the gallery of stage favourites.

The supporting company, too, is very Gouud. Mr. Taileur Andrews, although handicapped by a severe cold, eang with, admirable tasto "On With the Motley" (from "I Pagliacci"), put fire and the tramp of the clans into "The Blue Bouuets," and was equally acceptable in tho popular songs he added to his bracket. Eogero's powers as a mimic kopt the audience guessing more than once, as to whether ho was using other aids than his lips. He sings a little ditty, and finished up with a cornet solo (imil6d) < apparently, but the cornot is really his own voice, tho solo being continued aftor the instrument had been removed from his lips. He also mimics; the moods of mo-tor-oars and steam engines, and gives imitations of the guitar, banjo, mandolino with much fidelity. Crisp, bright, and smiling, Mr. Harry Jacobs, the singing conductor, jumped into favour early in the evening with the merry lilts, "It's in a Good Cause," "How Are You?" "Doing Her Bit," and "The Villain Still Pursued Her." Mies Peggy Peat appeared as a. balladist, and was successful in her sonjjs, "God Bless Daddy" and "Joan of Arc. Miss Peat also acted with fine spirit in the comedy sketch, "In tho Future," which comically foretells tho state of man when woman becomes dominant. Mr. Aeliton Jarry showed distinct gifts as a farceur, keeping the audience rocking with laughter. The .third part, that of the woman who lures the worm from hia hom«, was in the hands of Mis 3 Georgia de Lara. Louis Nikola, a facile conjuror, managed to deceive eye in a number of good tricks, and entertained capitally by usiug his supple hands between the calcium rays of a lantern and a screen. Misa Lucie Linda, a dainty little danstmse of no mean ability, danced very pleasingly. Mr. Kennedy Alsupplied dtoml humour for the fine' fi"9 Minutes'of the show. The Ada Reevo Company will appear at. thfl Grand Opera House every evening this week.