The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1908-04-29 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS  IF.SIILE THEATRE OF VARIETIES Turns which have never been seen before in Birkenhead were witnessed on Monday night by crowded audiences at the Argyle Theatre. The first turn on the bill is Chas. Kenna, said to be the greatest American con?edian and finest tale-teller, and monolog-Ist who has ever crossed the Atlantic. This is his first appearance in England., and On Monday night he presented his original character speciality " The Yankee Fakir." Pas jokes are exceedingly funny, and his Portrayal of the Irishman is very laughable. He also makes a great hit with his facial contortions. Another new turn is a sketch by T. B. Vaughan and John Lawson's Co, entitled "The Boatswain's Mate." The humorous sketch is adapted from that well-known author's (W. W. Jacobs) story of the same title. It is brimful of humour, and the scene is laid in a bar parlour. The acting is remarkably well done. John E. Coyle was received with loud applause. Re siw two songs in his Own quaint style, and funny sayings and doings kept the house roaring. He is indeed a capital turn. The famous populariser of chorus songs, Dora Lyric, airairod in her ;gest successes. in-I.4llxlig ...I'o.4Leamag.-Wonts Carlo and fitever-- pat- off fifl to-morrow what you can do to-day,' and the house was not long in taking up the refrains. A remarkably clever turn is that presented by Francini 011 oms and his page. They are described as the most versatile two extant. They are comedians,acrobats, iugglers, and 011 om is described as the world's greatest Xylophonist, and on Monday he was loudly.applauded for his solos. Gladys Mavius is a good dancer and coon comedienne, and she introduces a little tot who dances with surprising cleverness. Other excellent turns are Otto and Olga, inimitable musical comedy duo, the Elno Trio, in they up-to' date absurdity entitled "Those Troublesome Slaveye,h and Brown's Royal Bioscope gives, as usual, some very interesting ROYAL COURT  Liverpool holds an enviable record for its ability to appreciate the dramatic att. It is, therefore, gratifying to those who desire to see the elevation of the legitimate drama, and the development of histrionism, that Mr. Forbes-Robertson is giving us this week one of those altogether too rare visits of his. He is undoubtedly recognised to be our finest English actor. Mr. G. Bernard Shaw has hailed him as "our only heroic actor." With what skill did not ForbesRobertson on Monday evening portray the whole gamut of Hamlet's emotions?—his embittered feelings, his grief that well nigh drove him mad, and his revengeful desires after the ghostly revelation of the murder of his father. He is an imaginative actor. He create.; that subtle "atmosphere" of tragic emotions without the aid of external methods and accessories such as your " realist" act6r finds necessary. Hamlet was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience at the Court Theatre on Monday night. Miss Gertrude Elliott as Ophelia was also eminently successful. Her performance was a profoundly touching one, and was all 'the stronger inasmuch as she resisted the temptation to over elaborate the mad scene in the orchard. Indeed, the whole oast acted with a sincerity and artistic appreciation of the slay that made the performance a brilliant success. Last night "Othello" was played to a full house, and this (Wodnhsday) evening and on Saturday night "The Light that Failed" will be produced. On Thursday and Friday evenings "The High Bid," a play new to Liverpool, will be presented, and the Saturday matinee attraction wil be " Mice and Men."