Press Clippings for the week ending
Saturday, 15 November 2003

A random selection of cuttings
from newspapers and magazines

M. Bat discomposes Marie Sass during a performance of Meyerbeer's L'Africaine, at the Paris Opera, 1866 'A singular incident happened some days ago, at the last representation of the Africaine in Paris. As the curtain rose on the fourth act a bat flew across the stage, to the astonishment of the audience. As long as the divertissement lasted the nocturnal animal, who, no doubt, that night made his first appearance, kept flying above the heads of the amused dancers and in the Theatre itself. But as soon as the stage was cleared, and Selika and Vasco di Game confronted each other, both were disconcerted for a moment, as the animal flew close to their heads, and neither dared to begin the grand duet. As soon as Madame Sass saw it flying towards her she forgot her part and had to make use of the prompter and leader to continue it. The audience laughed heartily, especially as M. Naudin appeared as nervous at the soprano. The bat was evidently fascinated by the beauty of the great prima donna's voice. All at once a happy thought strikes M. Haine, the leader; he flourished his bow, and the animal disappears behind the scenes. After the scene was over he called his valet and said: - "Twenty francs reward given by Madame Sass for any one who will bring the bat, dead or alive." A moment after the animal was pursued and hunted by half the scene-shifters, carpenters, &c., and during that time the duet was concluded amid tremendous applause. As soon as the fifth act commenced the bat reappeared, but one of the carpenters subsequently caught him by means of a fishing-rod and a hook, on which he had fixed an insect as a bait. So ended the first and last appearance of Mr. Bat at the Opera of Paris.' (The Era, London, Sunday, 9 September 1866, p.10a) * * * * * * * * 'A new and clever and fascinating actress': Janet Alexander in London, 1901

Janet Alexander (d.1961), English actress

(photo: W. & D. Downey, London, 1901)

'There was a great and pleasant surprise for those who were present at the inauguration of Mr. Herbert Waring's season at the Imperial theatre, and the first representation of Mr. Boyle Lawrence's interesting play, A Man of His Word [21 August 1901]. A new and clever and fascinating actress had come upon the London boards in the person of Miss Janet Alexander – young, pretty, intelligent, and evidently possessed of more than ordinary talent. She had been seen in connection with the theatrical entertainments given last year by the O.U.D.S., and the reports of her ability and attractiveness having reached Mr. Waring, he made haste to secure her services. Her captivating impersonation of Kate Meredith more than justified his selection, and must have afforded him immense satisfaction. Miss Alexander made up her mind some four years ago that she would join the theatrical profession, and to that end studied at Mr. Henry Neville's school of acting for about six months. She subsequently obtained an engagement to tour with The Prisoner of Zenda, and then in the provinces in sundry parts gained valuable experience. Now that she has made her London début and has scored a success London should be very unwilling to let her go.' (The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, London, Saturday, 7 September 1901, p.10c) * * * * * * * * Max Dearly in the French version of A Country Girl, Olympia, Paris, October 1904 'The French Huntley Wright. 'A Country Girl in the French version is extremely good. The Olympia management have, with the aid of the French authors, Messrs. de Cottens and Fordyce, compressed it into two Acts and an hour and a half, mounted it gorgeously, and have, to all intents and purposes, reproduced the show exactly as it was in London [at Daly's, 18 January 1902]. There are at least a dozen English-speaking ladies in the cast, although most of these are eloquent in gesture only, and M. Max Dearly, as Barry, is so like Huntley Wright that, Frenchman though he is, he positively has a distinct British accent in all but his English. Dearly is the first French comedian who has succeeded in making a Paris audience laugh, and laugh heartily, at clean fun, and for this only, he might be congratulated, but his performance is so good all though that there are many other reasons for congratulations.' (The Sketch, London, Wednesday, 2 November 1904, p.81b)

Huntley Wright (1869-1941), English actor and singer,
as Barry disguised as Edna in the second act of
A Country Girl (Daly's, London, 18 January 1902)
for the comic song, 'Me and Mrs Brown.'

(photo: Ellis & Walery, London, 1902)

* * * * * * * * Vesta Tilley at the Palace Theatre of Varieties, London, 1910

Vesta Tilley (1864-1952)
English music hall male impersonator

(photo: Draycott Galleries, London, circa 1905)

'Not the least artistic feature of the evening's programme was Miss Vesta Tilley, albeit her songs had no intrinsic merit and her voice no considerable charm. But what a sense of humour, of characterisation, of irresistible gaiety! How carefully studied were her effects, how inimitable her walk! Until I saw Vesta Tilley I did not know that a stage walk could express so much, could give such perfect point to vapid words and common place melody. Then, too, her admirable restraint! She took no liberties with her audience, she did not address those in front, she entered into no colloquy with the bassoon, the trombone or the big drum. I would walk miles on the darkest night to her hear sing "Jolly good luck to the girl who loves a soldier." I know of nothing more genuinely amusing on the music hall stage.' (The Play Pictorial, 'Captain Kidd' issue, no.91, vol.XV, London, 1910, p.iv) * * * * * * * *

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© John Culme, 2003