AMUSEMENTS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 73, 22 March 1912, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

J OSEPH BLASCHKCiv

A soc’ety entertainer is, unfortunately, a’ rare bird. True, there are plenty of men who can suig a comic song—some of them well. J'lmje are. more who can give a humorous iecitation. But the man u ho, lor two hours, can keep a'mixed audience in good humour, can stir their finer feelings’or raise their laughter, can Jo all tins without a painted nose and a suit tnree sizes too big for him—he is a society entertainer. Such an one is Blascneck. Several years ago Maskelyne and Levant brought round Barclay Gammon/ His ’humour was irresistible, and he convulsed large audi--cnees evening alter evening. In a quiet and more dignified manner, ,witii straining after effect, lßlas■cneck 'accomplishes the same -happy result. His versatility is, astonishing., ■il'efaimng throughout' the entertainment Jus immaculate evening di< -s, he becomes in quick succession an old town cleric, a country J.P., a coster, a rich Jew, a village yokel, a small boy. His facial .expression, alone, is suiiicient'. to toll what character he nas for the time being adopted. When in h.s impersonation of the country J ; P V he drew roars of laughter atieV his request' to -the' >o*’stable to lV;iig' ■n •‘Big‘Aniy”’it was no small tribute co uiiS powers to find tnas there was just! as muchDaughter,* when lie rricreiy gazed at the pi foner, giving him a.’lcok, fitting the perpetrator bi such a heinous crime, as bigamy. In this piece he was easily at -nis best, hiui though at times fie was equally brialxiant, he never sustained such a higli pitch of excellence, or drew forth O o much enthusiasm from his audience. Blascheck is a del’ghtlul coster. His song, telling of the happiness he derives from giving Joe the ten bob rise that his wife did not know about, was an absolute masterpiece. Without Miss Mildred Wrighton, Blascheck could never have made his entertainment such a success. Miss Wrighton is an accomplished musician, and has a sweet and tuneful voice, and she sings a comic song in piquant vein, with an entire absence of tile harsh torie that seems inseparable from the artiste who enters tne realms of vaudeville. Both she and'Blascheck, however, are capable of holding their own, outside of laughter-making. Just as Blascheck gave a finished performance in his interpretation of Mark Antony’s famous oration, so Miss Wrigaton was well received in her little French song. She is not a Melba, but, nevertheless, her song was a very enjoyable number. ■Summed up, Mr Joseph Blaschcck’s entertainment is a treat that we should not like to miss. There is an air of refinement about tbe performance, that is so rare in the entertainments that rely on their laugh-ter-raising capabilities to justify • their existence; there*' is nothing coarse, nothing vulgar, nothing sug-gestive—-just pure unadulterated humour, while •occasionally a deeper note is struck. Mr. Blascheck, should lie visit ns again, will have an audience that will tax the stating capacity of our much-abused Town Hall. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Last night at the usual big change of pictures at His Majesty’s Theatre, there was a fair appreciative audience, when the new pictures screened wore seen at their .best. The photo dramas are of the highest order, the plots being short- and succinct ,getting right away from the usual lengthy drama. “Niagara” is a scenic picture ,of absolute grandeur. The world’s greatest falls lias often been viewed from a stationary point, but when seen through the moving camera they present a most awe-inspiring view. The educational and comic pictures are well above the usual standard. To-night the big fire brigade beneI fit will take place, when the Wellington Terrace fire will be screened, this film having arrived by last night’s mail. It is spoken of highly by the ■management. We all know and value the services of our fire brigades, so there should be a bumper house in order to give the always ready brigade a real show of appreciation. The I programme constitutes a great variety rf other star pictures.