GAIETY SPECIALTY COMPANY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 77, 3 April 1899, Page 4

GAIETY SPECIALTY COMPANY.

A SUCCESSFUL OPENING,

Entertainments of the variety and minstrel order are always popular in Auckland Avith a good portion -of theatre goers, so it is not to be Avondered at that a large audience greeted the Gaiety Specialty and Comedy Company on their first appearance at the City Hall on Saturday night. All of the members of the company are new to Auckland, and the majority in their respective lines have gained fame in the variety halls of Sydney and Melbourne, and different parts of the world. It is not too much to say that there Avas not one bad act in the whole programme presented on Saturday night, and from first to last the performance Avas amusing and ■ full of 'go.' Mr P. R. Dix, Avho secured the various members of the company durr ing his recent visit to Australia, certainly made a happy selection, and judging from the hearty applause, accorded the performers the success of the venture is already assured. In the first part of the programme a sketch entitled 'Domestic Troubles' gave Mr Tom Edwards a chance as Fritz (a servant) to display his ability in negro minstrel eccentricities. Mr Prince Godfrey, a comique, created a good impression. He sang 'I've Got the Key,' a humorous melody, and an encore folloAved, AAdien he "gave a patriotic song in which reference was made to the Samoan trouble. A novel item Avas a skipping rope dance by Miss Louise Althea. This lady has plenty of ability in the terpsichorean line, and she was accorded a hearty welcome by the audience. Sid Doody and Edie Wright Avere seen to advantage in a song and dance sketch. 'Soldiers of the Queen,' the music of the chorus being of a 'catchy' order. One of the serio-comics of the company is Miss Daisy Chard, a charming little lady She first sang 'Odey-odey-od,' and then her celebrated whistling song. The latter took immensely, and a double encore followed. Tom Edwards and Ed. StoAve got through' some funny business and cleA-er dancing in their scene entitled 'Mad,' which concluded the first part of the programme. Probably the feature of the Avhole programme was the heavy Aveight liftingof Wm. Lucifer, and his high kicking in, conjunction with his Avife and his pretty daughter Little Emmie. Mr Lucifer, Avho is a man of splendid physique, lifted a solid steel bar weighing nearly 200cwt out at arm's leu-rib, and he. also put over his head two balls of iron Aveighing 1601b. Another clever feat by Mr Lucifer Avas vearinoacross a pack of cards, and afterwards tearing the divided parts at a twist of the wrist. The bending and contortiomsm which Mr Lucifer goes through is beyond description. He twists himself mto every conceivable position and he may be truly styled ah iridia rubber man. Mrs Lucifer does some pretty dancing, and at high kicking and postures she is very cleA'er. Little Emmie also promises to be as clever as her mother, and she her part really well. The audience Avere evidently delighted with the performance of the Lucifers, and they are sure to become great local favourites. In the costume of an Irishwoman, Mr Sid. Doody did some clever dancing and facial expression, AA'hich caused great amusement. Another clever little lady is Miss Edie Wright, and she received |)P imperative recall for her song, There They Are.' A clever musical sketch, 'School Days,' by Tom Edwards and Daisy Chard Avas favourably re-ce_A-ed, the whole concluding with the sketch, 'The Book Agent,' by members of the company. Oij the whole the performance Avas a complete success, and a successful season should be in store for the company. A capital orchestra was present and added to the enjoyment of the evening. A special holiday programme has been prepared for to-night (Monday) and to-morrow night.