OPERA HOUSE.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17316, 30 November 1921, Page 10

OPERA HOUSE.

ODIVA'S SEALS. A truly astounding demonstration of animil sagacity was witnessed at the Opera House last tight when the Odiva school of odticat<d seals now touring Xew Zealand under the Fuller management made their first appearance in this city. The common conception, of e seal is that of a, slithery animal crawling over rocks and gaining its living by divin* for fish, occasionally amusing itself wiln inharmonious bellowing. It has never enjoyed much of a reputation for mentality, and the notion that a seal could be trained to act intelligently and work cohereutlv to order would by this vast majority of people who did not know, be laughed to acorn. Capt. Adams and his lady assistants have now proved beyond all possible doubt a. most interesting and important fact of nature that in the humblest physical forms a brain cf far-reaching paper may be developed. Tho stage setting for the seal performance was itself remarkable. Tho curtain rose to slow nautical music and there appeared well up-st«go a mighty glase fronted tank containing over seven tons of tepid water. The tank had appropriate scenic surroundings and was in no way out of harmony with the general effect of rugged Mature. Steps like mountain paths led up to the tank, a vista of craggy mountains and virile lakes stretched beyond, and in the foreground right and left in line wore wire cages containing the performers. Captain Adiims, who was in charge of tho company, explained briefly the nature of the work to be carried out, and made the interesting statement that no two seals were alike when it came to a matter of training. Lack possessed its own particular faculty or its own particular preference for certain classes of -voi-V, and each accordingly was along the lines that suited its temperament trd individual ability. He then gave a- demonstration of tho very remarkable docility of the trained seal. At his call one seal left its cage and followed him from the stage down, the steps to the auditorium and then along the aisles of the theatre. The seal flapped, along in splendid style, it stopped when required, and submitted gracefully and presumably appreciatively to the pattmgs and caresses of the patrons. Thotouch, of its coat appealed to the ladies, their longing eyes betrayed what they were thinking, and it is to be honed the seal itself was no thought, reader. "Having accomplished, its pilgrimage the seal waddled up the stairs a-gain and stood down while the other members of the company performed. This performance covered a wade variety oi work both on the stage and in tho water. On© big fellow after going through some acrobatic work, tumbling and so on, essayed a musical item. Its voice was of an astonishing type and it finished it» s?ng with a vibrato effect which quite electrified the audience. It was proud of this achievement and repeated it without much encouragement, finishing up by applauding itself vigorously and most audibly by smacking it« front fins together. This threw the house into paroxysms of laughter. Back somersaulting was another good achievement. In tho water the eeala were undoubtedly seen at their best. Their entry from tie diving platform was most graceful while their method of leaping from the water to regain tho platform was tho envy of any human swimmer. They could be seen when in the water gathering themselves together for the leap, just «a a horse Msta before taking a jump, and the-y dart«d out like a flying fish and: landed- surely every time on all four flappers. While in the tank the seaU gave many notable demonstrations. They performed' a series of evolutions,round one of the Odiva. girls, and were fed by hand deep down from a stock of fish cutlets held by the lady. This lady appeared to have the fish faculty of breathing under water. She remained below so long that one become quite alarmed, but she bobbed up again after her lengthy immersion, smiling and unconcerned. One of tho girls and one of the seals entered the tank together, and the lady holding the seal by a, rear fin was towed: gracefully wheeWaee round and round: for nM»y revolutions, tho two together forming a complete, circle. Another eeal acting on orders from Captain Adams, who stood outside tho tank twirled' itsclf-about like a, rapidly revolving kg maintaining its correct pose in the water throughout. It also executed certain specified revolutions as called out by its trainer. The girls likewise did the log rolling act with a rapidity greater than that achieved by uv of the goals. A striking example of the discipline exercised over ihe seals was when the big performer was shown and allowed to touch i big cod. Hitherto lumps of fish tossed to any of them were gulped down like lightning, but this big seal exercised what to,horn must have been a colossal restraint. He showed greediness until the signal was given and then it was a long faiewell to the cod. Altogether the performances is one of the few outstanding novelties that only occur at rare intervals, and is of fl nature to interest intensely people of all tastes , and _ all ages. The seals will appear every night this week, and the supporting vaudeville programme will be repeated. - There will be a, special matinee thiß after-, noon at 2.30, and alio on Saturday afternoon. :