|
The Sisters M'Nulty at Gatti's,
Westminster Bridge Road, London, March 1897
Gatti's music hall, Westminster Bridge Road
'The patrons of Gatti's, Westminster, are great critics of step dancing, for instance, and the wrapt observation which they devote to such extraordinary performances as those of the Sisters M'Nulty is scarcely compatible with a foreshortened view of the stage. The two sisters are, indeed, marvellous dancers. Every beat of heel and toe comes distinct and accurate, and the rapidity and complication of some of their pedal achievements fully account for the rapturous applause with which they are recalled to the stage. Charles Reade, who was a great admirer of first-rate step-dancing, which he regarded as a delicate art, would have been delighted with the Sisters M'Nulty. When summoned back to the stage they do a dance, which judging from the breathless rapture with which it is watched and the outburst of applause at its termination, is the acme of activity and expertness; and then, with modest consciousness of the merit of their entertainment, one of the Misses M'Nulty remarks smilingly, to the audience, "Now, I guess, you'll be good!" "Good," perhaps, is hardly the word; ecstacised would more exactly describe the frame of mind of the appreciative audience.'
(The Era, London, Saturday, 6 March 1897, p.18c)
* * * * * * * *
Kate Carney at Hammersmith, March, 1897
Hammersmith Varieites
'… on Monday last the hall was absolutely packed. There are several well-known names on the bill, but probably the presence in the company of Miss Kate Carney was responsible in great measure for the fine attendance. There are few more popular artists on the music hall stage than Miss Carney, and the reasons for this are not far to seek. The characters she impersonates are not creatures of the imagination but portraits the originals of which may be met any day in the streets of this mighty London of ours. Then, again, Miss Carney acts her sons excellently, she enunciates her words so that all may hear the tales embodied in the verses she sings, and her voice is admirably adapted to the rendering of the style of songs she affects. With all these advantages it would be strange indeed if Miss Carney did not succeed. As a matter of fact she does; and with nothing is she doing better just now than with "As the snowflakes gently fall." In this Miss Carney represents an itinerant vendor of backed potatoes, can and barrow complete. She sings of the sights she has seen whilst dispensing her "floury ware" top all and sundry, and gives evidence of the possession of a kind heart by bestowing a couple of potatoes on a shivering, starving woman who carries a babe in her arms. A trio of roisterers stop and toss for a meal, sandwich men prove good customers, a newspaper boy is glad to have one of the tubers, and a policeman who is inclined to be disagreeable is mollified by the presentation of a fine specimen of the stock. The little sketch – it is quite that – is admirably complete, and the swinging chorus of the ditty is taken up with cordial unanimity. Miss Carney also sings "Good Old Maggie" and another, and is enthusiastically applauded at the conclusion of her clever and interesting turn.'
(The Era, London, Saturday, 6 March 1897, p.18c/d)
* * * * * * * *
Kitty Beresford at the Camberwell music hall,
South London, February 1900
Camberwell
'Miss Kitty Beresford, with her songs "Ordered South," &c., &c., prospers very well. This young lady is a practical philanthropist, for her warbling attracts money gifts, and these she appropriates in becoming fashion, disposing of them by sending them to one and anther of the funds which have been raised to aid the sufferers by the Transvaal War.'
(The Entr'acte, London, Saturday, 24 February 1900, p.7b)
* * * * * * * *
Florrie Gallimore's plans to visit Australia
and the United States, 1902-1903
|
