ABBOTT'S OPERA HOUSE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 32, 6 February 1894, Page 5

ABBOTT'S OPERA HOUSE.

THE ALHAMBRA COMPANY.

After a somewhat lengthy period of darkness and silence, the Opera House was once again full of light and laughter yesterday evening. Mr Allan Hamilton is the good fairy this time, who has come for a short period to minister to the theatre-going public in Auckland, and he has chosen for that object " variety." If wo do not mistake very greatly indeed, Aucklanders have aweaknessfor"variety." They arenotaverse to amusement of any kind, but the 11 variety " entertainment is one .among theatrical representations for which they evince a decided predilection. We mfj|ht not defend their taste in this respect as the very highest by any means, but it is not necessarily a vulgar taete, and there is no reason why they should not find as innocent amusement in " variety " as others do in the more aristocratic departments of the stage. Yesterday evening's entertainment was as various as anyone could desire, and was received with enthusiasm by a well-tilled house. The body of the Opera House was next thing to packed, and the circle presented a larger number of faces than we have seen for some time past there. In the first parb the audience were introduced to "Neptune's Retreat," and a very pretty retreat it was, among shells and seaweed and all things "wondrouet rich and strange" at the bottom ot the deep blue aea. Ensconced in these quarters were gathered—not the sea god himself with nymphs and tritons—but Mr Harry Gilbert, a bevy of pretty girls and four Ethiopians of the race that can change their skins, and sing comic songs into the bargain. Their names are known to music hall fame on the other side. There were Frank M. Clark, Chas. Fanning, Johnny Cowan and Steve Adson. To these four were committed the pleasing task of keeping the audience amused by means of ludicioua grimaces and comic songs, and, of course, conundrums. The ladies, on the other hand, sang and danced, and gained a full share of the applause and of the calls for repetitions which were the order of the evening. Their efforts, combined with those of the gentlemen, made up a programme that almost erred on the side of being too Jong—at least in these sultry nights—but in spite of the warmth of the evening, the audience kept their places and seemed in no hurry to leave them till the curtain fell. The entertainment opened with a rousing chorus, "Hutrah for Casey," in which all took part. With an excellent orchestra accompanying them, the members of the company showed in this firsb item that they were full of life and spirits. "Daisy Bell," which Miss Kate Howard sung with great gusto, is almost as much the rage in Sydney, now, we are given to understand, as Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay of awful memory once was. From this point on wars encores became rife, and perhaps not one vocalist was allowed to leave the stage without repeating a veree or more of his song. "Three Individuals," by Mr Harry Gilbert succeeded ••Daisy," and then Miss Georgie Devoa pave, in splendid style. •'Mashing the Band." After Mr Cowan bad sung " Hansronfrugalpete" and Miss Montague " Dreaming as she Sleeps," Mr Frank M. Clark, amid semi-darkness, hiah-hish-hished across the stage, just) like our old friend Lonnen, and sang " The Bogie Man." After a song from Mr Chas. Faunin£, a clever double-voiced vocalist, the twin sisters Anderson brought the first part of the entert&inmenb to a close with an exhibition of American wing dancing and imitation of roller skating, Binging as they danced and skated. Their performance wue greeted with immense applause. The second parb of the programme included more Bongs, more dances, and humorous sketches, and concluded with a legal travesty, entitled "Mulvaney, J.P." The performance will be repeated to-night, As the company only intend to be in Auckland for eleven evenings more, these who wish to see and hear them should take an early opportunity of dome so.