OPERA HOUSE.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 288, 4 December 1889, Page 5

OPERA HOUSE.

THE RICKARDS COMBINATION.

The public accepted the Harry Rickard's Comedy Company as a combination of firstclass artists, on tbo strength of the great reputation earned elsewhere, and the vast crowd that a«sombled at the Opera House lust cranny must have fully realised that their confidence had nob been misplaced. The Opera House was crowded in ail parts, and it might almost be said that from the oldest to the youngest the audience were convulsed -with laughter from "the rise of >.he curtain till its fall. The performance of the oveninjz was introduced'by 'a musical and farcical'coLriedyentitied "Ma-in-law," byMr Rickards. The " Ma-in-law," however, i 3 simply a very convenient peg upon which many an amusing plofc is hung-, and after having despatched the hero and heroines off to the wars, as soldiers and vivandieres, she sinks into oblivion. The object of the comedy is to introduce certain talented members of the Conu pany in a series of clever character impersonations, with alniostlightiii/isrchanges, comic songs, amusing dialogue, witticisms, and dancing. The comedy contains eighteen distinct characters, and these are shared by seven impersonators. Harry Rickards was immensely amusing in a foul-fold role, in which he made up, acted, sang, and danced to a delighted audience, which insisted on an encore every time. These impersonations included Fred Neville, a young man " going the pace;" Clarence Fitzfaddlo, a broken-down swell; Flash Jimmy, a coster from smoke, and Fred Neville (a soldier). In the last-named character, Mr Rickards sang "On Guard" with excellent effect and received well-earned applause. Mr James Bell had a dual impersonation, and he was equally good as Mike Maloney (a servant) and James (a gardener), the audience being tickled immensely by his funnyisms. Mr Fred Davys was also very good aa Patsy O'Shaughnessy and Pat (a great fat warrior), the appearance of the latter being sufficient to provoke uproarious laughter. Miss Ada Delroy made herself a fast favourite with the audience by her attractive character impersonations a3 • Bridget Mulligan (a modern slavey), Mary Jane (a country wench), and Christine (a vivandiere), the two b'rst-named being very, original and clever. Miss Georgie Devoe played Miss Priscilla Jinks and Clara (a vivandiere) very nicely, while Katie Rickards gave an attractive impersonation. of Lillian (young Neville's wife) and Estelle (a vivandiere), receiving from an admirer in the audience a very beautiful bouquet. Miss M. Constance was both clever and amusing as Betsy Blobbs (a slavey) and Mrs Macsparten (the ma-in-law), taking these two rather trying characters very successfully indeed. The singing, dancing and amusing sketches introduced enpassant were numerous — too numerous to relate —and they must be seen to be appreciated. The second part of the performance comprised a " parlour olio," the first item being a "suite de valsos," nicely played by Miss Eunice Fernandez. Miss Marion Constance then treated the audience to whab was termed " skiptomania extraordinary," the performance being a wonderful combination of skipping and step-dancing, with which the audience were delighted. An amusing sketch entitled "Irish Felicity," by Pat and Ella Murphy, was excruciatingly funny, and Mr James Bell's banjo solo and bone solo were a treab which was duly appreciated. A feature of the whole entertainment was the marionette show, which was manipulated by Mr Fred Davys and Miss Georgie Devoe, the business being wonderfully clever, amazingly- funny, and .laugh-ter-provoking from beginning to end. Miss Ada Delroy followed with a pretty song and dance, " Sweeb Bouquet," and was enthusiastically applauded, and Mr Harry Rickards was highly successful in his impressive descriptive scena, "The Bridge," the scenery, specially painted by Mr Gorden, being in itself a very n'ne piece of work. The Spanish Students, Menuel Lopez and Mareano Martini gave the audience a rare musical treab on mandoline and guitar, from "Eebudiantina" to " Swanee River," and then into a number of other, gems, to all of which the audience listened with marked stillness, and at the close of the performance applauded enthusiastically.The last Item on the programme was a highly amusing oomic sketch en titled "The Elorjement," and the audienoe went home delighted. There was nob one indifferent item In the whole programme, and Mr

Riokarde must be complimented for baring provided an entertain men b of such rare merlb, more especially when the low charges made for admission are taken into consideration.