AMUSEMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 221, 12 January 1911, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS

LAWRENCE CAMPBELL. AND THE WONDERFUL OSSIPOFF

Last night was a red letter evening for New Plymouth people who love art. Mr. Lawrence Campbell and his helpers gave an entertainment of extraordinary brilliance, forcing a delighted audience to the display of many emotions, and making them break out into thunders of applause at each triumph. There are four people in this wholly artistic combination, and each morsel contributed by any of the quartette is a linished gem. Mr. Lawrence Campbell is a monologue entertainer—which explains nothing. He is instinct with the deep feeling of his art. He selects for his recital a variety that gives him a chance for the expression of every phase of his art. He is a finished elocutionist, a. vivid actor, but it is in his grasp of the sympathies of the individual that his power lies. The nameless appeal in "The Truest Friend," is an infinitely touching item that has the not unpleasant effect of bringing the tears of sympathy into usually dry eyes. Splendidly dramatic was Mr. Campbell's recitation from Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar," an item giving the artist a magnificent chance to display ttie versatility of his talent. Mr. Campbell is a remarkably fine exponent of dialect, lli.s Cockney is Cockney—and there is no better praise. In Kipling's verses about Tommy Atkins' "Outograph," he revelled and chuckled, and took many back to the vicinity of "Bow Bells." In a Cockney love trifle with which he concluded he spoke to the heart in the language of all nations, but the accent of the East End. People leant forward Vitli shining eyea when he described, as New Plymouth has not heard described before, "Rubenstein's Playing." He might even have forgotten that he was Lawrence Campbell and not the enraptured Yankee who speaks his emotions. His power lies largely in the fact that he himself feels the story he tells. He has as much need of the sympathetic handkerchief as the audience he so easily moves. His ''Caged" is a triumph in its appeal for the poverty stricken gaol-bird and the pauper child he loves; and his conception of "The House that Jack Built" lifts that nursery classic to a new plane. What snail be said about Eugene Ossipoff? He is electric, dynamic. He sings all .over, from his toes to his frizzy hair. His baritone voice is remarkable in power, range and effect. He sings direct to his audience. He is dramatic, appealing, daring. He sings magnificently in Italian, French or English, vitalises every word, energises each note, and hurls his wonderful art knowing it will have its desired effect. It is necessary only to say that Eugene Ossipoll' was wildly recalled after each song he sung, that after he had shown magnificently ' how "Toreador" (from Carmen) should be sung, the house shook with the tempest of applause, and the artist was not allowed to retire until he had rendered with equal point, vigor and mastery, three other numbers. His suavity is wonderful, but if one may admire one mood more than another, it would be that in which he veritably coquets, obtaining delightful ripples of laughter from people who do not understand the language of the song, but are made to understand the universal language of art. M. Ossipoff held the people who listened to him in the hollow of his hand with a natural art that has unquestionably been polished by delighted application. Miss Renee Lees ja ft brilliant accompanist, demonstrating remarkably how great an artistic affinity may exist between pianist and vocalist. She contributes v ery, largely -to the success of tlie electric singer. Mrs. W. Shaw-Mayer is a finished pianist, -who eschews "fireworks." Helping Mr. Campbell in his monologues, the value of the combination was splendidly displayed. Her own music for "The Truest Friend" was appealing and sweetly appropriate, In "Scotch Airs" she succeeded in obtaining more sym-

pathy than the majority of gifted pianists, who revel in more ornate work, can command. To-night the four gifted people will again appear. As a combination so artistic has not visited New Plymouth for many j'ears, one hopes that the hou-n will he as full as the talent of the visitors deserve.