Press Clippings for the week ending
Saturday, 13 April 2002
A random selection of cuttings
from newspapers and magazines
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* * * * * * * * Oliver Morosco on the theatre of the future, New York, 1913
‘"Twenty years from today American comedy will be the supreme comedy of the world. True comedy, in its healthiest, sanest, most virile essence, is our sole natural dramatic expression, for we are a nation young, unconquerably optimistic, full of dreams, having telefoto eyes constantly pulling distant to-morrows back into to-day. Europe will have been invaded by our drama as successfully as she has been invaded by our chilled pig and railroad steel. Drama is going to be the first American Art to successfully make the crossing."’ * * * * * * * * Mdlle. Degaby with at the Palace Theatre, London, 1896
‘Mr. Charles Morton, of the Palace Theatre, has increased his already attractive programme by the exclusive engagement of Mdlle. Degaby for her representations of mythological and romantic statuary. The poses are eminently realistic and highly artistic, and the fact that they have been alluded to by some journals as bordering on the naughty ought to be a nice advertisement for this popular place of entertainment. Had Mdlle.Degaby’s statues preceded the living pictures instead of following them the success of this exhibition would have been even more pronounced.’ * * * * * * * *
The Shop Girl revisited
‘Another fillip has been given to the popularity of The Shop Girl by the return to its cast of Miss [Ellaline] Terriss and Mr. [Seymour] Hicks, who, as many people know, [has] been appearing on the New York stage. A few days ago Mr. Arthur Williams resumed his original part in the piece – a part which he plays with a good deal of genuine drollery; but the rentrée of the two young artists I have named is an even more important matter. Especially is this so in the case of Miss Terriss. Mr. Hicks is inclined to be a little restless, and his new song, "What Could the Poor Girl Do?" seems to me a regrettable selection. He has, however, plenty of high spirits, and dances so nimbly that much (if necessary) could be forgiven him. Miss Terriss, however, is altogether delightful. She is in the prime of her youthful beauty; noting could be more engaging than her manner unless it be her voice, which, though not strong, is sufficiently full to be well heard, has been carefully trained, and has a peculiar sweetness of its own. Her song, "I want you, honey – yes, I do," would sound better on the lips of a man than on those of a woman, but Miss Terriss renders it with admirable delicacy and charm. The melody is very taking, but it owes to the sing much of its effect. Two other new-comers are Mr. Frank Stayton and Miss Florence Lloyd, the former of whom represents "beautiful, bountiful Bertie" with freshness and humour, while the latter contributes the ditty formerly delivered by Miss [Maud] Hill. Miss Lloyd seems to have much confidence and some natural talent, and her performance is at any rate promising. The "patriotic" song sung by Mr. Coop in place of "Brown of Colorado" is received with loud applause, and appears to hit the taste of at least the pit and the gallery. Personally, I dislike these ad captandum appeals to the cheap sentiment of the "gods." I may be wrong, but it strikes me that some of the costumes in the piece are new. Certainly the spectacle presented when the stage is full is often as picturesque as it is brilliant. There are dull and even foolish moments in The Shop Girl; but these are few, while on the other hand there is very much in the work that is novel, bright, lively, and amusing.’ * * * * * *
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© John Culme, 2002