- Empire Theatre -

The Empire

Judy Garland, still clinging to the recollections of a successful childhood into which a multitude of fans are only too willing to follow her, began her performance at the Empire last night a little nervously.  But after two songs she said, "My feet hurt," and kicking off her shoes became strenuously engaging, when, as the rather mature shadow of the star of the "Wizard of Oz," she sang at least some of the songs the audience demanded of her.

It was a retrospective performance, skillfully casual, discreetly hoydenish.  She thumped around the stage in her stocking-soles and kept time to her singing with her big toe, and appeared herself to grow quite emotional about "Over the Rainbow."  She mopped her brow, and she wiped the tip of her nose with the back of her hand - in the hollow of which she by that time had her audience.  And she sang with a strength that sometimes came near to stridency, particularly in her high and final notes.