Press Clippings for the week ending
Saturday, 28 June 2003
A random selection of cuttings
from newspapers and magazines
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The Alhambra music hall, Shoreditch,
'The success which has signalised the re-opening of this establishment must be gratifying to the enterprising Proprietor. Considerable improvements have been made in the Hall, which will afford increased benefit to the visitors, whilst the interior now presents an exceedingly pretty and unique appearance. The stage has been tastefully fitted up, and an orchestra added. Having obtained the sanction of the licensing Magistrates, Mr Fort is now enabled to put forth his energy in the right direction, and, if we may judge of the commencement of his new career, there seems every determination on his part to cater in a liberal manner for the amusement of his patrons. The company at present engaged comprises Miss Ada [? Ida] Brunton (serio-comic), Mdlles C. and J. Le Brent (dancers), David Crocker (comic), Alex Sloman (charaxtersistic), J. Stokes and Son (clog dancers), Mons. Bennett (of "Talking Hand" repute), H. Jones (patter), Anna Bennett (sentimental [vocalist]), Miss Wright (ballads), and Herr and Madame Shentini, the former being distinguished by his performance of the gorilla. We would also mention an exquisite and wonderful performance on the violin by two lads, members of the celebrated Bosco Family, and also an amusing pantomimic entertainment by Messrs Lewis and Wells, with their well-trained dogs.'
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George Alexander and Ellis Jeffreys in |
Ellis Jeffreys (1868/72-1943), English actress
(photos: W. & D. Downey, London, circa 1898)
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'The Misogynist, by G.W. Godfrey, precedes The Divided Way. It is an elaborately serious background for a joke about a duke and a music-hall singer, which was so amazingly unexpected that it swept the house away. I grieve to say that Mr Alexander fired by the vogue of the Hero of Waterloo, dodders though the piece as an old man, croaking and piping and exhibiting his tongue so as to produce an effect of having false teeth. The sole merit of the performance is that it deceives nobody. Mr Alexander, fortunately for himself and us, does not belong to the race of Smallweeds, who, born decrepit, can play old men at nineteen. However, we owe Mr Alexander much; and if it pleases him once in a way to paint his face and talk like that under the impression that he is giving a lifelike illustration of one of the Seven Ages, he can depend on us all to keep our countenances and praise him to the skies. Miss Ellice Jeffries [sic], as Kitty Denison, played with a very marked increase of sincerity and artistic courage. If she maintains that rate of improvement her position will finally justify Mr Pinero's choice of her for a leading part in Mrs Ebbsmith.'
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Gaby Deslys to star in Suzette, |
Gaby Deslys
(photo: Foulsham & Banfield, London, circa 1912)
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'Gaby Deslys is to play the lead in a new musical comedy which André Charlot is getting ready for the end of next month. Its title Saucy Suzette carries a distinct promise that Gaby Deslys will have a conspicuous rôle. The authors of the piece are Austin Hurgon and George Arthurs, and the music will be written by Max Darewski. Although Gaby Deslys has in recent years appeared only in revues and sketches, it was in a musical comedy that she made her London début. The play was The New Aladdin, at the Gaiety Theatre [London] eleven years ago [29 September 1906], and although she had two good songs and looked more charming than anything she did not catch the public attention to any extent. Her salary was a very modest one then, but a few years later she could command a thousand pounds a fortnight in London.'
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© John Culme, 2003