The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-01-17
SIR HARRY LAUDER

At the Grand yesterday, Sir Harry
Lauder packed the house twice and
then took those record breaking audi
ences and moulded them to his hearts
kindly desire. For over an hour af
ternoon and evening. the famous
Scot entertained with rollicking song
and the artistry of his inimitable com
edy, which has had so many imitators
but no duplicators.
There was difference in Sir Harry,
from his last visit. Many who know
the tragic story OF the blasting of his
hopes, by The war, believed that it was
the memory of the sorrow but alas
for their sympathetic allowances. it
was a bronchial cold, not visions of a
grave in Flanders Fields that took the
sparkle out of his eye and made some
of his effor,s appear heavy.
Up to the time he started his first
number on yesterday afternoons pro-
gram, the prince of comedians was
uncertain whether or not he would be
able to go thru with his portion of the
show. out in the box office at the
Grand, the managers were all pre-
pared to return their money to the
1910 persons who were in the audi
torium. But after Sir Harry Lauder
himself into his work, giving a really
creditable performance despite the
difficulties he was fighting.
Apparently Sir Harry had the time
of his life at the evening performance.
He kidded the crowd. he kidded him
self. In the talking intervals between
songs, he managed to shake hands
with all those who had braved stageI
seats to see him and his company. He
scored several real local hits The
first was at his afternoon show when
Colonel Hughes coughed and Harry
challenged him with Cough You For
a Dollar"
In one of his informal talks from
the stage last evening, Mr. Lauder
referred to meeting old friends in To-
again. You know he and I are related.
Yes we are. 1 am a MacLennan. I
am going to send him a MacLennan
tartan-a real one. Possibly I'll send
him some kilties."
Harry LADDERS full name is Harry
MacLennan Lauder. His mother. or
as he pronounces it. "mither," was
MacLennan.
He gave a program of six songs at
each performance, each in costume
and each so well acted that had it not
been for the voice and chara cite ristic
gestures, one would have imagined it
"a different person on the stage. Prob
ably his best effort was "Over the
Hills to Ardentiny," in the giving of
which the famous Scot showed all the
sweetness of his nature and his inner
lOngings. Nearly on par with this Of
fering was when I Was Twenty One"
and There's Somebody Waiting for
Me-" tho his very best bit of charac-
terization was done in 9TH Safest O.
tn Family" He began the program
with II Know a Lassie Out in
OHIO" something quite different
from his usual line of stuff, in that IT
mbines his familiar Scotch with a
new American theme. He closed with
Il Think III Get Wed in the Summer
time" a catchy lifting melody, and
with which he captured both yester-
days crowds, making them sing with
him on the refrain.
While Sir Harry is a comedian, he
dropped into one of these last night
jest and smile the folly of war and
the hope of a future brotherhood of
man. All rumors that this was in any
way to be considered his farewell tour
were set at rest by him in a promise
that he would return and would not
be so long away this time.
While most OF the audiences paid to
see Sir Harry and had no other enter
tainment in mind, he carries with him
company of entertainers who look
like the cream of the London and Liv-
erpool musical hall talent The Cliu-
tons open with really clever jump
ing and kicking act. Cleo Glascoigne, |
diminutive soloist, scored a hit with
her last number, annie Laurie" The |
comedy cyclists had something new. as
did Khartum, the Persian pianist. and
Harry Moore, paper tearing artist.
e. d. K.