Vancouver Daily World from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Page 12

TIIE VANCOUVER DAILY WORLD, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1921 12 Popular Prima Donna 'imianC oMr Over the Footlights l4T Pays Tribute to Canadian Audiences "Canadian audiences have been won derful to us. They laugh at the right times, and their silences are splendid. I really believe that Canadian theatregoers want plays of their own flesh and blood; English plays, mora than American. America, cut off from England at the time of the war of Independence, and since then Canada has THE existence of two amateur Operatic Societies in Vancourer Is a case wHere competition Is not the best thing for the community. It Is no use denying the fact that for Its size Vancouver has not Its quota of really good vocal performers, and under this condition.

It can onlv he reirarded as es sential that union Is strength." The writer makes the suggestion tn the In ni oi coin. wnen artistic success is achieved (and this has not always been the case) the financial end Is very important, too, and In this age, when the extent of ambition of such a large section of tbe niihlln in the "movies" and the lower priced legitimate. It must be recognized and squarely faced by the local operatic managers that only by the closest co operation can financial and gone her own way, with her own people." Mr jonn imes to remember that his company, during their last appearance here, was the only one which had come over and played an all Canadian tour. "We are rather proud of that," he said, "and we do not want people to forgot Although Vancouver has not seen him anmiic success oe acnieveo. woum it not re worth consideration, tnererore, that to play Gilbert and Sullivan and even mors exacting operas, that the pick of Vancouver's vocal talent be available so that those who witness the performances can truthfully say that tt Is practically as good as professional.

It must be remembered that a concert singer is by no means an assured success on the operatic stage, and many really good voices would have to be content with chorus work or to stay out altogether if they were too proud to sing with less gifted songsters in subordinate or chorus parts. for seven years. Sir Martin Harvey has not changed much, and It would not be so difficult to remember him as the youthful actor who commenced bis meteoric career with Henry Irving, or li when he Immortalized Sydney Carton 1n "The Only Way" at the Lyceum theatre. London. In 1899.

and by which he 1 if will always be remembered. CO long as choirmasters h4ve such a wide mesh to their standard of admission to their choirs, so long shall we have mediocrity In amateur choral work. The majority of those In charge of choirs make the mistake of giving too much Importance to numbers. Of course It Is not always the case that the choirmaster is master, and he often has to admit people that his artistic sense rebels against. It is surely better to come down to a quartette and have it good than to fill up the choir stalls with Torn, Dick and Harry.

It Is almost safe to wager that every choir has Its deadhead, somebody whose quality Is outrageous, nasal, or throaty or whose tremolo or discordance drives the rest of the choir crazy. Nor la objection rained to the singer with the small voice, for the modest but tuneful voice Is an asset for the reason that it does not stand out, but readily blends with the rest. It Is often the case, of course, that a chorister of long membership Is no longer an adornment, and It Is very hard to have to tell him to go or sing softly. The writer remembers a choir In the States where the singer had been a member for a great many years and his auallty had become painful and MISS OLIVE riKNIB who rejoins Kelly's Comedians at the Theatre Hoyal Monday after a vacation of several weeks in tho south. the choral singing was absolutely spoiled.

No one dared to tell him, and so things went on, until one day he dropped out, and no one ever discovered how It happened. He was known as "Old Faithful" because he was always on the job, and It caused pain to see him go, but choristers are In their places for their singing, and not from the reason of good looks or sentiment. In another case. a diplomatic move was made In a certain church, the offending vocalist was made a member of the church committee with duties of usher, and this precluded his remaining' In the choir. AVENUE THEATRE MATINEE AND TONIGHT, also JTsxt Monday aoO Tuesday.

Trans Canada Theatres Ltd. announce England's Distinguished Actor Martin Harvey Supported by Miss W. a Bllva and Ills Loudon Company. IN "THE ONLY WAY" mens: Kvgs U.10 to J2.75 Mats 1.10. $1.65.

$2.20 No phone orders. Curtain 2:30 8:30 1 jj I 'r 1 Fnuikla and Jean Tell at the Orpbnm. 2 Murva Kahn at the rantazea. Anna PlUul la grand opera at the ANOTHER all English company Is now starting on tour through Canada, but this time it will be tn a revival of that beautiful musical play, "The Beggar's Opera." by Mr. Oay.

This play is being produced by Nigel Playfalr, who has secured a most capable company. It was recently revived at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, and the Canadian company will consist entirely of those taking part In the London production. HAS BE7XVXD OLD SUCCESS. Laurette Taylor has played the title rolo in "Peg o' My Heart" 1.138 times, and now sbe is back in it again. The popular "heart throb" comedy was revived this week at the Cort Theatre, New York, and It was welcomed as an old and very dear friend.

The company is composed entirely of "Peg" veterans. Not a single member but has played In the comedy before. Michael, his credit. It Is a regular old home week for Peggy for the initial production of the play was at the Cort, and the stage setting is being used for the present rpvival. The Great Post War Plays By Maeterlinck and Maugham IT is not to be wondered at that two of the leading dramatists of Europe, in Manrice Maeterlinck, the Belgian, and W.

Somerset Maugham, the Englishman, should have written what are probably the two greatest plays of the post war period. Both plays Daturally deal with the war. The scene of the Belgian play is laid in the "cockpit of Europe," whilst "The Unknown," Maughan's much discussed drama, was based on results of the war. 1 1 I X.X "i These two great plays also bear 8 Hi VAUOEVV.Us master and his accused gardener Is one of these, and touches the heart: and the refusal of the Burgomaster to dishonor his name provides supreme scope for histrionic art. This scope is unexcelled even In Martin Harvey's wide repertory.

Not only has Maeterlinck given us a BobbyO Neill The WorU Benownsd Violinist FRADKIN true history of the spirit of German ac gression and brutality during the early period of Belgium's Gelhsemane. but la "POTT QTJBEHS AND THE JOKES" By Herman Timber? Asslstsd by Dorothy Godfrey, Pay Tunis, Mabel Terry, Babette Busey he has furnished us with a perfect Tormer Concert Master of the Boston. Symphony Orchestra, and MISS TEAK TILL Soprano revelation and analysis of German men striking similarity to each other tn one respect, a point which I have not seen touched upon by any local critic With the exception of those travellers who have been tn England recently, local theatre goers are of course not cog nlant of this specimen of Maugham's work. Let me nay. therefore, that "The Unknown." by reason of Its criticism of Christian teachings, raised the greatest theological storm that any play dur lnir the last half century has evoked.

Certain characters In "The Unknown" challenge (by reason of divine non interference with the progress of the war) the popular belief that God is love. One of the characters, a widow who has lost both of her sons In the war, does not see eye to eye with Bible teaching. She declares that God "has treated her worse than He would a dog." snd she parries a theological thrust of the village clergyman with the counter thrust: "And who Is to forgive God?" tality. When the Burgomaster emerges triumphant from the great moral test i to which ne li subjected, ana refuses to allow his aged employee to be shot ALFKV7D l'ARRKIJi and CARTiKY Mitorm B. Howard at the Kmpreaa.

In order to save himself. Lieut. Otto HHmer declares: "1 don't understand a syllable of this" CHARLES IRWIN "'iKirles P. Keating; as James McClay as HTCXLEBEBKY PEPTIC AND TOM SAWTEH The fogged mentality of the Individual was symbolical of tho nation. Germany did not undestand the morality of honest men, and it was largely ne cause of that lack of understanding that THE NAGETS the German empire has ceased to exist.

No more valuable propaganda or more scathing indictment of a nation than this three act nlav exists, and Its val as Produced Six Successful Plays The University Players' Club Is about to launch ltd sixth annual production with the performance of Plnero'a "Sweet Lavender." The club has advanced In artistic achievement popularity from the Initial performance of "Kanny and the Servant I'rohlem" to the maK ina of "Oreen KlockltiKS" lant year. There is promts that "Sweet Lavender" Hill equal If not urpajf. the aplendid record In the pant. ue is greatly enhanced in view of the MOONLIGHT With MARIE HOLLY Nights I aso to $1.35. Matinees: ISO to 75c Next Week: Alice Lloyd Advance Notices of Shows ORPf JFl JM An artistic act called "Four Queens and the ii Joker," In which Bobby O'Neill will be featured a the Joker, will be one of the headline attractions at the Orpheum theatre Monday.

Bobby O'Neill has done almost everything In vaudeville, from a single co star with Evelyn New hit, and is now leading a little company of his own, consisting; of liorothy Godfrey, Mabel Ferry, Fay Tunis, and Babette Buesy, who will appear as the Four queens. Fradkln, renowned violinist, assisted by Miss Jean Toll, soprano, will occupy the other headline spot on the programme. At the age of nine he was soloist with the American Symphony orchestra. Three vears later. Fradkln went to France, starting his studies with H.

Ueiny. later entering the National Conservatoire In the class of A. Eefort. Here he received the first unanimous prize, the only time a United Suites violinist has been so distinguished. Charles Irwin, the popular comedian, vocalist and raconteur, who made his debut as a public entertainer in Tientsien, China, when he was In the British army.

Is returning. Charles li. Keating and James McClay, two boys, will appear as Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer. Alfred Farrell. with whom Is associated Miss Carley, will offer a series of rag pictures produced by placing each rag in such a position that It forms a distinct and perfect part of a picture.

"Moonlight," a musical skit by Thomas Swift, will be presented by Mary Holly, who will appear as Sally Lawrence, a very romantic young lady very sensitive to the Influences of the moon. "The Nagyfys" will present a nnlrjue novelty In which fire and flames wilt play a prominent part. It la considered one of the most daring offerings ever The firat public performance men tioned above an ataued four times LTJT International discussion concerning reparations. The play has a tremendous sentimental and psychological effect upon those who witness It. Of Martin Harvey's work no eulogy Is ne.

In the role of the Burgomaster he is the central figure In the story, and the greatest tribute to his skill Is the fact that he lives the part. Miss N. de Silva (Lady Harvey), as lsabelle, the Burgomaster's daughter, gives a portrayal that is at once convincing and artistic. The part offers full opportunity to her great emotional powers. Other outstanding characters are Lieut.

Otto Hilmer (Gordon McLeod) and Claus, the aged gardener (Arthur Chesney). The latter Is a masterpiece as a character study. R.W.T. in three the second, "Merely Mary Ann two nights at home and once In Victoria, and tho third. "Allce Hlt hy i ne same riouht in divine omnipotence 1h noticeable In Maeterlinck's play, when the Burgomaster discusses the frlghtfulness of the Hun.

"And yet God." he says, "is permitting all this to go on." During tbe war thousands of men many of them are now living In Vancouver were brought face to face with the problem of reconciling belief In the love of God with the omnipotence of the Deity, to quote Dean Kde of Worcestor. In his preface to "The Hardest Part" (by Pev. O. A. Studdert Kennedy.

M.C., C.F.. one of the finest books whlhc was born of the war. That problem again imps up In the two plays under review, but there the similarity ends. In this, his newest work, the man who enslaved us by his charming phantasy, "The Blue Bird," troubles little about allegory and symbolism. The transition Is complete.

The Belgian dreamer has become the Belgian patriot, with an avowed mission to fulfill. "The Burgomaster of Stlle monde" Is naked realism, an Incriminating history, a tragically simple recital of bare fact. Until the little town of Stllemonde was actually occupied, the optimistic Burgomaster refused to believe the truth of the Hun massacres at I.ou atn, IHnant sur Meuse, and other places. Disillusionment comes rapidly. Maeterlinck does not employ the art of the KIre," four times In two cities.

"The Importance of Being Karnest," of 1 9 1 1. was acted three nights In Vancouver only, on account of the flu epidemic. Iut the fame of the Players' Club nprefcd widely with the success of "Green ritocklng which whs staged ten times is eight different cmex, including Vancouver, Victoria, New Westminster. Na TiHlmo, Kamloops, Vernon, Kelowna and Pentlcton. Since 1917 tbe club has contributed mm the proceeds of the first two nights to the university Memorial rtind, putting the third night at the disposal of the Movies" Women's Auxiliary of the Vancouver VfholesomeaeansirHj Refreshing subtlety.

Truth, like tragedy. Is most (ieneral Hospital. The other performances have been the means of raising of litre for itrd charitable purposes. This year the pro When Your Eyes Need Care effective when unvarnished. Yet there are tense dramatic moments In the play.

The scene between the Burgo Alex. Pantages Presents ceeds of the production In Vancouver The new Musical Comedy "SEPTEMBER MOON" With FRANK BUDD and ROBERT LORENZO PjU 4 Ci "September Moon," a new musical comedy with a com 1 pany of ten players will be the headline feature of the new bill opening at The Pantages Monday afternoon. The ai Is presented bv Alexander PantaKes and for the tour of the circuit at Minneapolis on Iecemher 2ft, last. In the cast are Robert (Buster) Lorenzo and Frank Budd, Eva Gregory and Irene Allen, with a chorus of six pretty Seattle girls. The book and lyrics are by Clinton Jones and the music by nick Hays and Kdwtn Michael.

It lMttu a niot Iter from and Its music Is Jazzless. The bill with "September Moon" promises to be one of excellence. George L. Graves and company will present a hilarious novelty styled "The Woman of a Thousand Secrets." The skit Is by Kleanor Wilson and concerns a woman who has taken up crystal gazing and fortune telling as a business, against the opposition of her husband. Quinn and Caverty.

popular vaudevilllans, will be seen In their laugh success, "Lots for Sale." which reveals a rube real estate promoter and his victim. Lo Ve and Wilbur have a wonderful aerial novelty that they call "Speed and Smiles." and which shows them both to be super athletes. Jessie Millar, "The Musical Girl of the Golden West," is said to be one, of the outstanding hits of the new bill ith cornet, piano and acc.ordeon. Marna rtehn Is also one of the comedy features of the bill In her entertaining oddity that she calls "loln' Nuttln'." On the screen to complete the bill will be shown the fourth chapter of the serial photoplay, "Double Adventure," In which Charles Hutchison is scoring a decided hit with Pantages patrons. Thousands of people have swarmed the box office of the 4 Kmpress theatre the last three days unable to get seats for the "High Cost of Loving." and have prevailed upon the management to run It for the fifth and final week.

Never In the history of Canada has anv play made such a decided hit as hasthls excruciatingly funny comedy, and many people have been as many as six times to see It. One college professor remarked that It was a wonderful study to walrh an entire audience laugh continually for two and a half hours, and when anyone tells you that the "High Cost of Loving" is one continual spasm of laughter, they are not exaggerating. This fact probably accounts for the creat crowds that are flockinic to see it. Hundreds of steady reservatlonlsts wrote in requesting the management to play It again next week as they laugh more and more each time they see It, so the management has derided to present It for a final week to give everyone a chance to see It. but this will positively be the last week.

Kay Collins, Geo. Howard, Eddie Lawrence. Edythe Klllott, Margaret Marriott, Etta Ielmas and all the other fun makers are preparing some new Blunts for next week, and new specialties will be given throughout. Sixth Annual Performance OF THE PLAYERS' CLUB OF THE UNIVERSITY OF B. C.

"Sweet Lavender" By Sir Arthur Plnero HEMK THUATKU THCKSDAY TO SATCRBAY, MARCH 10.13. Exchange Tickets now on sale $1.00, 75c, 50c ISoicn, $1.50. will he disposed of as usual, that Is tor the Memorial Fund and tba General Hospital. Young Prima Donna to Sing Two Nights Anne Fltzln. the young American prima donna, who startled New York when she made her dubut with the Metropolitan Opera Company there for lour years In the Spanish opera eaca.

will positively appear here with tlie San Carlo Opera Company at the Avenue Theatre on Wednesday evening 1n "Mine. Butterfly." Miss Fitxiu Joined the San Carlos Company for Its pacific Coast tour and lias been winning notable successes In I. os Angelva and San Kranclsco. This oung American prima donna, still In lier twenties. Is more widely celebrated than any other singer of her age in the world.

She has already sung In the opera houses of Fpatn, Italy. Havana, South America, and has been a star of the Metropolitan, Chicago and San Carlos opera companies. She as rated the find of the year when she first appeared with the Metropolitan ra Ompuny four years ago. The demand for her on the concert stage VerHtne so propelling and profitable that hhe left grand opera, but she has taken this limited engagement with the San Carlos Company to keep up In her opera repertoire and also to extened her acquaintance to the Pacific Coast. She vill be heard here as Cho cho san in Mme Pntterfly" and In the colorful rolo of "Thais." LOVE AND WILBUR "Speed and Smilea" JESSIE MILLAR "The Musical Girl" MARVA REHN "Pom Nuttin' "DOUBLE ADVENTURE" With Charles Hutchison QUINN and Geo.

L. Graves CAVERLY i in woxAir or a tkoviajto ucun" "LOTS TOM llir A 1 From the mall orders and advance sale of seats at the Avnue thealre hot offlre lor the five performances of Grand Opera Ryan Kelly Offer KELLY'S COMEDIANS In TWO TIP TOP MUSICAL COMEDIES next week, Home of the most brilliant audlt'iuu'H of the aeaHon will fill the theatre during tins riik aKcnient of the San Curio ilranil Opera Company. The opening mghl, will naturally be nn oocaHlon of considerable eclat. There Its marked inlMrt'st In the debut here of the celfhnited prima donna, Anna FHfclu, who will Hing "Mme. Butterfly" on that evening.

Kverywhere this company hai appeared thla veason It has been playing to packed hoiiseM. During the nine years that it has been on tour It ha built up a reputation which inaurea WEEK OF FEBRUARY 28th full house in every city which It visits. This enames Kortune inllo, sole owner of the company, to present a superior ensemble at popular prices. By kcrplng faith with the public, he has been able lo make fraud opera pay. I'nless there i a material reduction In railroad rates within the next six Commencing Moatlay months.

Fortune Oallo predicts that most of thn big amusement companies will George Bernard Shau) Scolds Audiences li 'The MotorKing' A Joy Ride of Girls and Laughing Gas lane tnPir proouetlonH oil tnc transcontinental rouic inin year uauo nas sent hia San Carlo opera Company on tour that makes the circle of the United States and Canada. Bv the time the company gets back to New York, it will have Journeved nearly Sii.onu miles The repertoire for the engagement here. Is as follows: Wrdnesdav. "Mine Butterfly," Thursday. "Cavallerla Rustlcana" and "Pagllnccl Friday, "Carmen; Saturday matinee, "Faust," Saturday night, "II Trovatore." r(fAT "Tb Motor Wine." described by the press agent as a "joy ride" ty I rllJ of gins mid laughing gas." comes to the Koyal theatre Monday for three days.

There will be nine performances in all, consisting of a daily matinee, snd two night shows. Monday's performance will mark the bnndreth appearance of Kelly's CotmMtans In Vancouver, ajid the manager. Hicbard (lck Hyland. to 2celehrate this! auspicious occasion, has declared It souvenir night for the ladles. Kjich lady Cpp The capers of tbe fuaay (funics Tlie Beauty of the Kelly Girls ia hong aarl 1 lance Gorgeous Costume Splendid Scf nrr Cleau Conwily by Clewr Comedians.

HttemliuK will he presented with a handsome souvenir. i nis anus anoiner special for the ladies. Friday ai'iernoons being made a bargain day some time ago. each memher of the fair sex ing admitted to every Friday matinee for exactly half price. U'c.

Souvenir night will be a big night at the lioyal theatre. "The Motor King" Is a timely offering and teems with automobile happenings. I.eander, a much henpecked husband. Is seldom allowed abroad by his fond, friiriil anonsc. However, bv close observation from the window of his room AVENUE THEATRE FOUR DAYS COMMENCING WEDNESDAY, MAR.

2. MATINEE SATURDAY FORTUNE GALL0 Presents SanCarlo Grand Opera Co. Weatern Tour Direction Elwyu Concert Bureau. Ninth Triumphant Tour Company of 100 20 World Famous Stars REPERTOIRE 'i noCB. Wednesday.

March 2, with Fitilu guest), DeMette, Aeoatinl, Valla UeBiasi. "ClTiUHU BUBTICAMA" Thuradav, March 1, with Freeman. Barron. Sinajra, D'AmlCtt, followed by I rAOLIACCI with Keltie. Itizcrillo.

Ballcter. CAB. KEN" Friday, Mar. 4, ith L'tilette. Keltie.

Sinagra. Bailester, Cerrl TATJIT" Eat. Slit. Mar. with Keltic, Barron, Acostlnl, Bailester.

DeBtaat XI. TBAWATOBS Sat. wtth Freeman. Barron. Inzertllo, Valle, Cervl.

Musical Director. (Jaetauo Mtrola. SEATS ON SALE MONDAV. FEB. AT 19 A.

rICE JCTnial 93 73, S3.80, S1.65, tl.10. MaUaee: S3.30, S1.6S, a ad tl.10. Mo phoa ordera. he has mastered the secret of the auto engine hum. and by ear alone can inform XKW YORK.

Feb. Oeorge Bernard Shaw, the well known press agent ir George Bernard Shaw, the dramatist, has put over a new one. He has vritten to the New York Theatre Guild complaining of the manner In which tuda persons laugb right out loud during performances of George Bernard haw plays. "Imagine," he says, what a first performance of a sym fliony by Elgar would be like if the vudlence at every stroke of liistrumeu tatton. every fortissimo or pianissimo that pleased thorn, were to break into roisy applause, compelling the players to put down their Instruments and the conductor tils baton until silence was restored.

Would the symphony be a rvmphony tinder such circumstanree? Vet that Is what I have to put up with, and what the players who Interpret me have to put up with." Here follows a recital of the valiant rffortB that Shaw declares l.e has made 'to make the public ashamed of this intolerable For a time be was moderately nuccessful, he avers, "but Jince the war a new generation of play froera has raised Its Intolerable fuffaw and made a comedy impossible." Possibly there is something behind this. It may be that the "new gener at Ion of playgoers" which Shaw has Discovered "since the war" displeases film not so much by laughing at his rlaya as by failing to attend them. Cer alnly sine the war writings of Shaw appeared In the anti British Hearst pa rer he haa loat many admirers amor ha Intelligent clttsens of New York one the make of any car oy merely listening to tne engine run. fun of a very rollicking nature Interspersed with harmonious song numbers and gay dimes hy the big beauty chorus led by different members of the company, make the "Motor King" one. of the highly successful productions stared by Kelly's Comedians.

It is In three arts, and the scenic department promises a treat. Heginning Thursday "The High Hollers." a eay an1 festive burletta on hlgV will I the offering Monday sees the retuin of Olive Finney, the popular prima donr.a of the company, who has been enioying a vacation In the South Commencing Tliurstlay "The High Rollers" A Wave of Wistful Delight. Monday Night 100th Pcrfonuance Souvenir To fcrery Lady. Lois Weber which will be shown In New York late In F'ebruary. "Mariyd Stranrers," which Miss Weber completed editing Just before leaving Los Angeles, nas made such a In New York Lois eber hmn rrlv.t th i tin inai ti prooamy win oe reieaaea Hotel.

New 1 nrk r. i I i ROYAL THEATRE ew ArMnsi.m Hotel. Seattle, it pt, 4 anailinn Money at Tar. And the unintelligent do not laugh at rjch plays as "Heartlirots i merely wonder what they are I aUrvut t. tti muni earlier aie inin was at Iirst Angelea.

While in New lurk Miss planned. Broadway probahl ywlll see attend the Paramount "Married Strangers" in May and the Metros.t.ni pr.se,,tatioi, of hat's i Weber productions, "What Viurlii While, bcr latest lcalurc uict ire j0 Waat," in July..