South African Pictorial - Volume 17 (Jul-Dec 1923)

8 SOUTH AFRICAN PICTORIAL. In. The Bright Lights. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. ‘‘ BrREwsSTER’s Mituions ’’: THe PiLay to GIvE You THE Laucg You Are Loneine For. first night of ‘‘ Brewster’s Millions,’’ to realise that twelve years had passed since I saw Percy Hutchison in the same play at the Theatre Royal, Durban. Time passes lightly for some fortunate people, and ‘‘ P. H.’’ is certainly one of the chosen of the gods in that respect, for the years rolled back as one watched him and one saw the same Percy not a whit aged, the same marvellous vitality that lifts the whole company to his level, the same cheery smile—and not one grey hair. ‘* Brewster's Millions ’’ is a popular revival. In these depressing times a tonic is what we all need, and one got it as roar after roar of laughter filled the theatre and the adventures of the inimitable Brewster were followed by a crowded audience. And the play gives a chance to run through the whole gamut of human emotions—gives a part that is a true Hutchison réle. And one was not disappointed in ‘‘ our Perey.’’ Not for a second did he let the interest of the play slacken, and, a complete contrast to the happy-golucky Brewster, on the darkened deck of the yacht with the rosy reflections from the saloon lights making a halo round her hair and playing on her white dress, he makes love [ was difficult, sitting in His Majesty’s Theatre on the 2) sincerely and earnestly to Margaret Grey (Miss Elsie | Stranack). . One was very glad to welcome Miss Lilias Earle (Mrs. Percy Hutchison) back in one of her former réles. Miss Earle has a speaking voice that is singularly pleasant to the ear, and her acting was one of the outstanding features of the production. It seemed to be no effort to her—only a natural walking-on in a part that suited her to the ground. Miss Elsie Stranack made a dainty Margaret Grey, and her belief in the irrepressible Brewster, her doubts and her fears were cleverly conceived. Miss Kate Carew is always most satisfying to her audiences, for she is never for a moment out of the picture. Both she and Miss Earle were in the original London production and in the first showing of the piece here in Africa. She gave an excellent study of Janice Armstrong. Miss Betty Nelson as Barbara Drew had an older part than we are accustomed to seeing her in, but she played it well. Miss Nina Oldfield as Trixie Clayton, the actress, was very dainty, and Miss Gertrude Korras was really excellent as the typist. Mr. H. Saxon-Snell and Mr. Frank Lacy were perhaps the best of the supporting actors, but Lord Lyveden made an excellent Butler and one that appealed to every female heart in these days of incompetent servants. Mr. Philip Stainer, Mr. Robert Newton, Mr. Claude Pascoe, Mr. Geo. Miller, Mr. Walter Dibb and Mr. Teddy Hayward each did his bit to help along what is really an excellent production. The yacht scene is one of the finest that has been set on the stage here, and when the heavens darken and the storm sets in the scenic effects are most realistic. Lastly, there was some very checry music played by Mr. Gordon Stamford and his orchestra, and as for the wonderful gowns—well, you will find them described in another column. ‘“‘ Brewster’s Millions ”’ is the play that will give you the good laugh you are longing for. ELAINE. ‘* THE BAT.”’ PLAYGOERS TO BE ASKED NOT TO REVEAL THE SECRET OF THE STORY. Mr. Perey Hutchison’s next (and farewell) production at His Majesty’s Theatre will be ‘‘ The Bat,’’ by Mary Roberts Rinehart and Avery Hopwood, from the Morosco Theatre, New York, and St. James’s Theatre, London. (Continued on page 21.) ‘DeceMBerR 1, 1993. EMPIRE PALACE. ' Bruty Kumine anp His New Partner: AN ATTRACTIVE PROGRAMME, course, an old favourite with Johannesburg audiences —are making the hit of the bill in this week’s Empr programme. Kuming has a new partner, and the ** Yank’ shares the honours with him of a particularly bright and smart act, that goes with a swing from first to last. Mors has a quaint style of his own, both in singing and dancing, and the encores for the pair were vociferous and insistent. Their turn was a big feature in a programme that is full of interest and amusement. Jaap van Laren and Wilhelmina, “ artists on a line of their own,’’ feature slack-wire work and some wonderful feats of balancing, done in a very deft and skilful fashion. Miss Lillian Burgiss, the delightful singer of English ballads, is meeting with real appreciation for her perfect treatment of well-known songs. Her artistry, her fine voice and charm of personality give her high place, and that is being recognised to the fullest extent at every appearance. ‘* Bluff King Hal,’’ in the person of Harry Claff, daintily assisted by Miss Winnie Wager, has popularised his sericcomic study of ‘* The Bachelor King,’’ and nightly receives all the laughter and applause his well-written act deserves. The Buchanan Girls, in their lively dancing and singing, are well above the ordinary level both in talent and training, and Ford and Aldous dance neatly and lightly in numbers acrobatic as well as humorous. Olive Carew sings cleverly and brightly, and Gilbert and Chapman, who get away from the usual both in style and song, are going strong in their third week. The sensational Carpentier-Beckett film, and _ the Dempsey-Firpo picture, both of them clear and _ well pictured, keep the whole house thrilled and interested, and even though it is late before they come on, they are well worth waiting for. Fi con MORRIS and Billy Kuming—the latter, of FALCONER. NEW ACTS NEXT WEEK. Matcotm Scott AND HerscneL HENLERE TO SHARE THE Honours. Morris and Kuming, Jaap van Laren and Wilhelmina, and Gilbert and Chapman are the only acts in this week's programme who will remain at the Empire next week. The newcomers on Monday night will be: Maleolm Scott, Herschel Henlere, The Three Neslos, The Shaws, and Bradford and Walton. Malcolm Scott, ‘‘ The Woman Who Knows,’’ jis the leading Dame Comedian on the stage to-day. He has played a good many Dames in his time—Boadicea, Nell Gwynne, The Gibson Girl, The Directoire Girl, Salome, Widow Twankey (in ‘‘ Aladdin ’’), The Baroness in ‘‘ Cinderella,” Mrs. Sindbad, The Queen in ‘‘ The Queen of Hearts,’’ and one of The Bing Girls. But it is as Catharine Parr that he is best known. Catharine Parr was Henry VIII.’s sixth and last wife, and, as a matter of fact, she was not at all the sort of lady one would expect to find on the music-hall stage, for we are told that she was “‘ distinguished for her learning and her knowledge of religious subjects ’’; but that is by the way, and it has remained for Malcolm Scott to make her famous in a manner she never expected. _Like his friend Whit Cunliffe, who was out here not long ago, Malcolm Scott had one of-his earliest engagements with Adeler and Sutton’s concert parties. He is a brother of Admiral Sir Percy Scott. Herschel Henlere is a combination of a brilliant pianist and an excellent comedian. He has reinforced his fine musical talent with a wayward and whimsical humour that is altogether delightful. He is a Canadian, and has just come from Australia, where he has been a tremendous success. Malcolm Scott and Herschel Henlere will honours of the new programme. share the BIJOU, MONDAY: LAURETTE TAYLOR IN ‘‘ PEG 0’ MY HEART.” (