OPERA HOUSE.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17321, 6 December 1921, Page 10

OPERA HOUSE.

Odiva's school orf educated eetls, whose Beaton in Christchurch a.* the Open House has been a- xreek of triumph, closed their visit with a farewell performance last night. The theatre was packed out, and many potential patrons were nnaTole to eecure admission. The work of tha seals again proved o! enthrallaij interest, and their movements and manoeuvres, both on tho sta.?o and in the water, were followed •with the keenest 01* attention. Especially noteworthy was the perionnanca of tho bigseal log rolling in tne water and adjusting the number of bis rove-rations to the orders shouted out to him byCapt. Adinis stationed outside.. The back-s<imer3s.ulting by another marine performer was also a most popular item, ar.d tho gr3-cetul motions of tho poised 6oal were much admired The vocal experiments by some of the eea's provided a Tcry fir-a comedy interlude, and the applause manifested by a bi? fellow in a. corner cage on hearing' the songa of his comrades was as laughable as anything prov:a;d durin? tho whole turn. Tha two Odiva ladies again demouatrated their outstanding ekiii ana gtaco in water evolutions, and their splendid performance'was greeted with prolonged applause. The seals will leave for the south to-day. In the vaudeville seotion a, new appearance was that of Mr Andy McP-herson, who camo on in kiite as a Scotch comedian. He has a bij, strong voice, which he brought into action to present a medley of Scotch- songs of the comic brand, and he interlarded his harmonic effort* with spoken matter also disigned to amuse. Many of his quips wore re-i'.lly' f-marfc. and hi secured a most flatt'jT;n» reception. Billy Elliott, the blr.cSfaced cemeuian who takes the audience into his coraiderce in a gossipy talk about the other performers, raised many a loud laugh. Ho vm.s assisted at one stage of his turn by a casual comedian not on the programme, itarnjly, a largo and very active rat, which hopped over the balcony on to the stage .and disappeared down a small opening in the corner. Its tail remained visible ior a few seconds v.hile its body wriggled through, and the interest of the whole house remained centxGri ia this int-crl-u<le as long: 2t3 it lasted. II r Eliott, in addition to his eomecly talks, sang several scnga with a booming voice, including- the popular and pathetic "Take Me Back' to Mammy's Arms." >fr 0. Mitchell, banjoist, again proved himspjf a most skilled performer on the instrument. Ha played tho usual jazz stuff, not omittii' l .; tho '.'By Jingo" item, end soaring to higner flights, he pf.ve a representation of tho Mi3erero song- from "Trovatore," in which the song and the accompaniment weie both pioduo:d at the same time. It was altogether a notable performance Mr Mitcheii also excels ae a patter comedian, and his comedy talk* went splendidly. The turn picvided by the popular duo, Miss Milkr and Mr Riincy, waa one of the bij- succesieo of (he evening. The man is a most original comedian, and has'a way of doing things all his own. He appears also to hi a versatile musician, for ho entertained the audience at different times with selections on tho tornet, the slide trombone, and also the.saxaphone. The oth?r artists on the programme also appeared with success. To-night the programme will be strengthened by the first, nppoarance of Las Eevedp''s dancing epeda'ists, and De Wilfred, brilkant xylophonist. To-morrow evening two more turns will. appear, namely, Leader and Lahey,. musical specialist, and Tilton and West, potteriets.