Variety (December 1914)

VARIETY The Press Notices on this Page Speak for Themselves u SUNDAY TIMES" Johannesburg, Transvaal, Oct. 25, '14. South Africa I took my seat at the Empire last week quite unprepared for the subsequent discov- ery. I imagined that I was to be regaled with a programme of average interest and that there would be nothing out of the ordin- ary to record. I was quite wrong. There was Laura Guerite to record. Laura is the only visitor to the Empire who haa made me waver in my allegiance to Estrellita—I mean the unspoiled Estrellita of the first visit. In Laura we have an artiste whose abilities cover a wider range than those of the Californian artiste with the broken English accent. Roguishness and se- ductivness were the secrets of Estrellita'* appeal. Laura Guerite can be roguish, seduc- tive, dramatic satirical or widely humorous, and last week she has been giving us a taste of her quality in all these directions. Laura might have suffered as many visitors to Johannesburg have suffered in the past, from being anticipated. Some entertainers when they come to this country, seem to leave their own repertoires in cold storage some- where in England and to fill their wallets with stuff belonging to their more successful contemporaries. Thus "Get Out and Get Under" and "Who Paid the Rent for Mrs. Rip Van Winkle" may be regarded at the present time as old friends. We have heard them through the vehicle of many singers, and this is why I say that Laura "might" have suffered. Fortunately, she didn't suffer, because we cannot be said to have heard either of these two songs until now. "Get Out and Get Under," as rendered by Laura Guerite seems like an entirely new number. It was a brilliantly clever example of the comedienne's art. Her rendering of the "Rip Van Winkle" number was, in another way, equally clever. Another number dealt with three phases of entertainment: The old form of transpon- tine drama, the circus and the rag-time craze. Each phase was depicted with just the right note of caricature. Whether serving up the old-fashioned heroine, the nimble-footed lady who combines circus riding and show- manship—which is an euphemism for "swank" —or the abandoned ragtime-cum-tango ex- pert, Laura is as near perfection as possible. She has an irresistible smile, sn eye full of unspoken words, a vast significance of ges- ture, and she is as nimble as a whippet. In addition, she wears a number of slap-up cos- tumes made by a firm whose wonderful se- ries of exhibits at the Franco-British Ex- hibition of some years ago bewildered all feminine London and set many mouths water- ing. Laura Guerite is a very great artiste, and I have no hesitation In bracketing her with Ada Reeve. She ought to fill the Em- pire for the entire duration of her stay. A Complete World's Tour AFTER 10 Weeks in South Africa RAND DAILY MAIL Johannesburg, S. A, Oct. 2t, '14. EMPIRE'S NEW PROGRAMME. There could hardly be two opinions about the new programme submitted at the Empire Palace last evening; it was one of the best that the enterprising management has put on for a considerable period, and that ia saying a good deal, as patrons will be ready to admit. For one thing, it was the opening night of the Laura Guerite season, although quite apart from the debut of the famous Ameri- can comedienne, the programme did not con* tain a weak turn. As a result, the audience —and its size must have gratified the A. T. T. and Bob Young—spent a thoroughly satisfactory evening. Laura Guerite ia undoubtedly one of the most entertaining artistes who has happened along of late. Getting right there with her first- song—speculations concerning Mrs. Rip Van Winkle while Rip was taking his pro* tracted sleep—she had the house watching and listening with the keenest pleasure as she served up three other numbers—a comic song. "Get Out and Get Under." and another which any title might fit. With her vivacity, facial expressions, vigorous actions ana amusing business, she has a style different from that of other comediennes who have vis* ited these parts. It may be added that the artiste wore some striking costumes made by Reville and Rossiter, dressmakers to the Queen of England. .4 TRANSVAAL LEADER" Johannesburg, South Africa. LATEST EMPIRE SUCCESS. The Laura Guerite season at the Empire opened last night with eclat. Laura in tact, is not the simple Miss which her old-fashioned name might lead you to expect—that is. of course, if you had never heard of her, which, after all, is improbable. Miss Guerite's fame as the original singer of "Get Out and Get Under" has preceded her, and it was with that festive ditty that, after propounding the problem—who paid the rent for Mrs. Van Winkle?—she gathered fresh and fragrant laurels last night. The newcomer has ail the qualitiea. A brilliant presence, ravishing frocks, a delightful American drawl—those one can define. It is less easy to describe s personality which fascinates with a voice of boyish charm, an inimitably rich repertory and suggestive glance and movement, and a mischievous gilt of antic grace and mim- icry. But, however it was achieved, the re- sult was never in doubt, and Miss Guerite had to come forward at last and thank the house for a "glorious reception." "THE STAR" Johannesburg, Transvaal, Oct. 2§ 14 It was for Miss Laura Guerite that "Get Out and Get Under" was written, and you have to hear the creator sing it to under- stand how it so quickly became one of the rages of ragtime. Miss Guerite is a tempest, a whirlwind of shapely proportions, and beautifully gowned, as the ladies' papers have it. Her facial expression is convulsive, and her attitudes—well, they are her own. She works up to a fine crescendo by beginning with a clever, quiet song entitled "Rip Van Winkle " and in the ena carries everything before her by her pulsating, insistent, vehe- ment staccato singing. She is one of those artists who are popular from the jump off, and goes one better with every appearance. 20 Weeks in Australia 2 Weeks in Bombay 6 Weeks in India 2 Weeks in Calcutta Then returning to America via China, Japan, Honolulu to San Francisco