Dramatic And Musical

Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 167, 12 September 1903, Page 16

Dramatic And Musical

By Footlight.

THE Stme and Evans American Comedy Company, at the Opera House, in the language of the country from which they hail, have brought, us "good stuff." They broke the ice on Wednesday night with "Mama's New Husband," a brisk and wholesome piece, bristling with bright humour and quite novel "turns. You can follow the plot if you desire. It is a reasonable, if farcical, one but you don't want to bother your head about tales Incidents are sufficient to keep you smiling comprehensive smiles. * * * "Mama" is chiefly remarkable for her age her temper, her new husband, and her nearly-grown-up daughters whom she would like to believe is an infant, This rather "leggy," and altogether clever, young person in short irocksis the heartiest youngster possib c. As she is designed to wed a bald-he -ufed old fop, with dollars and loves a much younger man she contrives to deceive the ancient one mto the behet that a lolly stick is her natural food and childlike innocence her torte. in short Miss Olive Evans, as Mamie Dunbar, the breezy daughter ot a tempestuous mother, is a snlendid t-ne of the talented and versatile. American comedienne, dancer, singer, and mimic Mamie gets right there. A propos of the bald-headed old beau, Silas Franklin (Mr. Chas. P. Bates), Mama's new husband asks him on one occasion for the love of decency to put on his hat. "You're half-naked, he tells him. Mr. Henry Brood (Mr. Chas. J. Stme) is a rotund vet active comedian, with a natural turn for humour. He is a sad dog, and is given to kissing servants and stepdaughters. He sustained, durine the singing of a piquant song, a 'sure enough" box on the ear from little Mamie. Mamie didn't really mean it, but that ear glowed like a danger signal all the evening. * * Mr. Wm. Douglas, as Franklin Kinsley, the young lover of Mamie, is the only man in the bill w ith an English accent. He is natural, and an excellent actor. As Mrs. "Pearly" Brood, the lady whose age worries her. Miss Margaret Marshall is "out of sight." Her screams are classic and her adamantine expression is 1 warranted to break up a beef trust. Thomas the coachman (Mr. R. Bickwell), is chiefly remarkable for having a splendid voice. His exceedingly pretty little song "Sometimes Between Lay Shadows," was quite the musical gem of the piece. * * it Miss Claire Carfield, as Pansy Witherbee, a bouncing brunette, with the neatest figure imaginable, can dance with tremendous animation. In fact, the company is quite remarkable for their vigour. Nothing I have seen, either before or since the Dartos, quite equals the splendid "turn" given bv a pair of expert dancers whose names are not on the programme. * * ■* The general dance, at the end of the second act, is entirely novel, and the kinematographic effect obtained at the finsh is smart. Miss Claire Canfield's "Asleep in the Deep" serves to show the unusual quality of a voice that is sometimes a light soorano and anon a full-throated, deep-toned contralto Altogether, "Mama's New Husband" is new and very pleasing. A big house on Wednesday night watched the vagaries of the fun distributors. * + * Dixs "Brook," at the Theatre Royal, has joined its sister streams in the sweet sea of happy memory. It could not expect to enioy the privilege of its Tennysonian sister creek to flow on for ever. The innovation of this original first part was so successful, that it is to be hoped there are other similar ideas simmering in George Dean's resourceful brain. Aeain the bright and winsome Miss Nellie Yohe, whose excellent voice has won a way into the hearts of hallites bv its magnetic power and soft cadences, is still a firm favourite Tod Callaway, always a draw, has further emphasised his ponularitv bv drawing on his stock of vocal excellencies.

Miss Emmie Smith, who lias had a long and bright season, has not outstayed her welcome. Her p*qua,ncy is hci chief atti action among many points ol excellence. The Gallardi Paris, who have been able any time these three years to amuse with voice and dance are still as welcome as ever, and little Vera Kearns, the child comedienne gets older but slowly, as also does the graceful and gay Miss Ida Roslyn. Jack of the same ilk, is exuberance pei sonified, and his plethoric repertoire has been thumbed and dog-eared to provide a new sensation for his multitudinous admirers. ♦ * • Of the Williams sisters, whose bright sketches, clever bike "turn," and graceful dances always make/ one wish for more, it ma" be said that few vaudeville families are more welcome, and Mr. George Dean the veteran amuser, is, never stuck for something fresh. Those who did not see the solemdid "turn" of the De Wynne brothers during their last tour will now have an opportunity. as they appear again tonight (Friday). This clever pair are acrobats and balancers of unusual merit. * * * Then, Val Vousden, the ventriloquial entertainer and comedian, is again with the company. His entertainment is refined and excellent. Nothing ho does is more artistic than his impersonation of Mrs. o'E.ourke. Val is an originator, and does not depend 1 for his business on outside sources. His local hits are always amusing, and very much to the point. Altogether the new company which includes many talented people, should be a very welcome one.

Fuller's Entertainers at the Choral Hall, axe doing big business, which remark is entnely unoriginal, but perfectly truthful. ±irom "Pleasure's Rendezvous" to "Hvpnotisoinnambuh&m," the show is endued with snap, and is received with that enthusiasm that is gratetul and comforting to the management. The Jones brothers, who have again, planted their restless trilbies upon the boards of the Hall, have a numerous array of plantation melodies and sketches. Their masterpiece. ' Why Don't You Get a Lady of Your Own." is kept in the background until the audience specifically desire it when it is given with the animation that has made' it a. comedy classic. Madge Lucas and Joe Watts, in the "O'Flannagan's," introduce their great dancing feat m top-boots. As a combination of grace and dexterity, it would be hard to excel. Miss Annie Kinnaird, the ballad singer, during her season, now over, has never appeared without vociferous demands being made for encores. If it is a tax on the favourite singer, it certainly points to well-earned popularity. * * ' * Bob Bell, also now no more as far as Fuller's is concerned, has been uproariously greeted. When recently he was encored several times for singing ''They Wanted to Take My Photograph," he sang a song he alleeres to have been written, by "Tom" WiJford. The name of so eminent an author is the best evidence that it was received with T>seans of delight. To-night (Friday) Albert McKis«on (the boneless wonder) and Mi«s Clarrie McKisson re-appear. Miss Ada Duval is also billed. Nevt Wednesday. Will Watkins will smile at a packed house — at least, he usuaJlv does.

Mr. Walter Phillips, Mayor of Waihi, and Mr. Brown, ot that borough, are in Wellington, on municipal business. Mr. Phillips is much, thinner than formerly, in consequence of a rather serious illness from which, happily, he has now fully recovered. In memoriam notice from, an American paper — ' Poor father, dear, was getting old, The cold winds shook his form ; A special chill it nipped him off. But now papa is warm." ' Reeling off pages parrot-like does not constitute an actress. As a matter of fact I never kruew a first-class actor or actress who had a good memory," thus Miss Maud Milton, to a Melbourne interviewer. Also, "the sally fashion of lionising actors and actresses is only doiie by notoriety-hunting society entertainers, ari*d no benefit can be gained on either side."