FULLER'S OPERA HOUSE.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17728, 3 April 1923, Page 8

FULLER'S OPERA HOUSE.

A crowded patronage animated by the true holiday spirit extended to the performers at the Opera House last night all the reception tney couid wish themselves. Bountiful and ail embracing as was the applause, most of it was quite well deserved, and even on an ordinary woik-a-day occasion wou.d have been quite in oiuer. Ihe vaudeville section was uuusuaiiy strong in me merit ana novelty 01 uie atteiinga, ana

Wttc uy uu iue«>u me k-*" tntei.awug oi uie iue uuu.l.uau.s ol uic evening was me ttl >■"« Auraiio om., two spieuuiuxj men, iwi.uiu or ireiicu in appeal unce, wuo put on a lurn tue uke ol wn.on u-s never uten seen nere beioie. 'lnert consisted ol a long mast stepped iuw a pocket capped to tue hips ol the Heavier ol uie two men, and otherwise uuue unsuppoiUa. ine mast was kept upngnt biuipiy by the balance« movements oi the man at Uie base, up this swaying mast swarmed Uie second man, hand over hand, and loot oyex foot, in vivid nautical fasnion. At the top he performed a number oi'-thrilling movements of Btrength and skul, one alter Uie other in rapid time. This work would have , been meritorious enough had it Been executed from the truck of a mast propeny stepped and stayed, but from such a perpendicular in a state of balance the performance was most astonishing. The turn provided one long series of thrills, and the house broke into tbundrous applause when the big sailor aloft slid down to the deck. A super-thrilling climax was, however to be provided. The burly navigator hauled himself up to a trapeze arrangement hung front! the roof, with the cross bar well above the level of the boxes, and from this Beathold he swung himself higher and higher until he described a complete circle. This . act of daring, almost uncanny to witness, completed an altogether notable performance. A new comedy sketch, "Always TeJ Your Wife," was given by Mr Charles Hanbury and Miss Doris Mills. There was quite a lot of talk in the performance, but the comedy actions were good, and made the desired impression. Miss Louie Duggan, an Australian soprano who sings most pleasingly, contributed a budget of typical music hall songs which seldom receive the excellent rendering that Miss Duggan gave them. The songs were: "Tippy Canoe," "Waters of Killarney," "Night Time," and "Pretty Kitty Kelly," the last-named being a really charming number. Miss Elsa Lewis, a violiniste who plays on a splendidly toned instrument, contributed a number of classical and aother selections in gipsy character. Apdale'e Circus, now in its third week, and like another notability, still going strong, closed the first part, and the comedy performances of the dogs and monkeys raised as much hilarity as on the night the circus first appeared. The Walter George Revue Company held the etage for the second part with "The Girl from U.5.A.," and original musical comedy extravaganza by Mr Les Williams. Just what the author did, was not too clear, for the revue appeared to consist as such entertainments are intended to, of a ssries of feature items with a iittle dialogue her© and there to help things along. A new lady was seen in the company for the first time. This was Miss Hazel Fuller, a Wellington artiste, who haa a nice soprano voico, ana an attractive etage manner, and will certainly be of value to the company. With JMr ifork baritone, she eang: "The Muaio of Love/' and by herself later, "Mere s to Love," Her speaking part was also well conducted. Miss Vera sewell had more to do tnan usual, and her very nice manner of einging and acting makes one rather wonder why eho is not as a rule cast more* strongly. She is certainly up to the work. Mr tfork Gray, in addition to sustaining the part of a Bomewiiat incomprehensible scion oi nobility, sang that very popumr jazz song, "Stumbling," a chorus of girls in gay attire adding materially to the success of the item. Miss Dulcie Miiner, who carried the. weight of an ingenue part, sang "Sadie," and with Mr Robert itaymond, that tuneful number, "Linger Longer." Mr Raymond himself, whose work never "fails to please, gave as his chief item, the Bong "So Long Lucy." A striking pierette. dance was performed by Miaa Alma Row© and the ballet girls who also took part, displayed frocks of a most original design. Mr George Storey and Mr Frank Perryn shared the comedy work between them, ond each laisod his die quota. of Jaugbß, aJthoUßh the methods of each differed widely. Miss Gecwrgie Martin filled the role of what appeared to be a comedy comet. „ : ■

The augmented orchestra trader the leadrship of Mr Albeii Bidgood. pleased everybody. The programme will be repeated to-aigM.