FULLER'S OPERA HOUSE.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17617, 21 November 1922, Page 12

FULLER'S OPERA HOUSE.

A new programme containing many attractive features entertained a large gathering of patrons at the Opera House last night. The most pretentious turn was that provided by Fuller's Eleven Wonders, a company of juveniles of varying ages with a programme most versatile. In the opening number a small boy with a big voice sang a Scotch song and,a party oi girle of Caledonia joined lustily in the chorus and danced with freedom and vigour. Another small boy then appeared solus and executed an original danco of a most fantastic natuie. A mix<-d quartet of, saiaii andi dainty girls, with two diminutive oavaliiers sang new of a well-known topical eong number. What they lackd in suture they made up in other ways and the item was accorded a great hearing. A shapdy young lady also with a big voice was heard in a song "Happy," ajidi a well-trained ballet danced entrancingly. A charming little "Powder Puff' 'dance was given by a "Miss Vanity," and this young expomant had all tho airs and graces of an artiste of years and experience. The item was greettd with prolonged applause, and was certainly on© of the best in the offerings of the company. A dance which opened dramatically and closed acrobatically, was presented by a small boy and girl. The item was splendidly given and deserved the tribute of admiration it received. Finally the full strength of the company cooperated in' a dancing, somersaulting and pyramid building ecena. This particular section speeded along at a great pace and was full of change and movement. The baak somersaulting of some of the'.girls possessed, quite a whirlwind effect and their display in this particular was quite up to the best standards. The Eleven Wonders have plenty of talent and energy and should make a' name for themselves.

Other artiste also appeared for the" first time. Dolores, an aerial expert,, gave a skilful andi graceful demonstration of difficult trapeze-, work for which she received much commendation. ' "Golda," another young lady who made her first appearanoe, excelled in wire-walking . work. • ; Fij>m the stretched wire she performed many difficult moVem'ents such ae. jumping through hoops, jumping over a chair and climbing up 'a ladder which was balanced on the wire. Her faculty of balancing- must have bren highly developed to' enable her to do what she did. She' really, should have been an accountant.: Miss Ruth" Buckna.ll, an Australian soprano,- has a voice of considerable power and of extraordinary range, and she reaches and holds notes of an altitude much beyond the capacity of most sopranos. She opened with an operatic number, the "Brightly Dawns" song, to follow- that ishe sang "Hose"of Pioardy,'' and) closed with an "Ave Maria." Prolonged' applause greeted her performance, and the audienoe certainly would have liked' to have 7 heard her further. Little Lorna, the wonder "child, not of the Eleven, however, but ' independent, who has established herself' firmly in the affections of the Opera House patrons, v added/ materially to her • reputation in the new items she gave. She sang a rollicking sea song, "Cheerio Sailor Boy," and for' an' encore "played the violin■' and jazzed simultaneously in imitation, as it. appeared, of Mr '■Maurdce , Sterndale. Finally, she gave U-hat-was undoubtedly her best number, a splendid impersonation of Mt • - Harry Thurston ' singing that -masterpiece' of his, "Miana My Wife." Mr Maurice Sterndale, " 'the jazzing violinist. played some real; music with skill and feeling. He experimented with a vocal item and proved to others and probably to himself' that his strength does not lie in this direction. As a violinist he stands high, as a vocalist he has a long way to go. Miss Rosa Loader, the musical comedienne, with her • partner Tom Laney, put on a series of comedy sketches, which included burlesque-opera, drama, and vaudeville. The lady played a classical piece, on the piano, and Mr jLaney to a concertina accompaniment, sang that old jazz favourjte, "Coal Black Mammy." The ,two closed the turn, with aoma concertina dmeta, which certainly took the fancy of the house. Mr "Louis Bioy played further selections on the banjo, and demonstrated his "mastery of the instrument. The orchestra, Jinder the leadership of Mr Albert Bid?ood, discharged their duties to the' satisfaction of,. everybody. The programme' will .be "repeated to-night.