Louie Freear (1873-1939)

"Three of a Kind/Robinson Crusoe"
Produced at The Camberwell Palace.
Reveiwed in Lloyds Weekly News (London) - 2nd April, 1904.

As a remedy for the "blues," nothing more efficacious could be recommended than witnessing "Three of a Kind," which has been played during the week at the Camberwell Palace. A successful three-act farce boiled down into a 30 minutes sketch should naturally have plenty of fun in it. That is the case with "Three of a Kind," which, admirably played by Mr. George Abel and Miss Ethel Arden's company, has provoked roars of laughter. So, too, has Mr. Will Evans, who, aided by a couple of assistants, has played a pantomime "Robinson Crusoe." It is very absurd, but it is also very droll. Miss Louie Freear is possibly seen to more advantage in the theatre than in the music-hall, but her success is, nevertheless, great. She is genuinely funny in a couple of comedy songs, but her ability has fullest scope in a coster ballad, "'E didn't know exactly what to say." Miss Katie Lawrence is always a favourite, and the choruses of her songs, particularly of the "Daddy" ditty, are taken up lustily. A comedian of much originality and resource is Mr. Lawrence Barclay. His parody on the popular "Bull and Bush" went immensely.