FUN AND VAUDEVILLE.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18367, 28 April 1925, Page 14

FUN AND VAUDEVILLE.

■ « GOOD PROGRAMME AT OPERA HOUSE. Fun and vaudeville entertained a crowded assembly at tho Opera House last night, and th* new programme should enjoy a. very big popularity during the present week. A steady succession of first-class vaudeville turns made up the first rnrt. The Alton Sisters, two well-built maidens, presented a bright and versatile performance. They opened with an attractive Spanish dar.ee, given brightly and vivaciously. One of the two then ascended to a trapeze and from the swinging bar executed i long series cf gymnastio. and acrobatic items, showing outstanding skill and agility 'the other, during a suiuble period ,in ihe trapeze work, sang a song by way of accompaniment, her voice bsing tuneful and quite pleasing.. Mr Maxwell Carew, an artist ot English training and experience, and the possessor of " a lugh-t.uned tenor voice with a good falsetto volume, sang a Swiss yodelling, or Xyrolose warbling, song, and followed' that up with some comedy statement. In a new character, that of a pensr.'c Chinaman with two lanterns, he sang "My Chinee Girl," and he closed the turn in the character of an old man ringing in a quavery voice "Silver Threads Among tho uold.' 1 Tho last-named touched the sentimentalities of the audience, and prolonged applause followed. The Mullaney Brothers, singing and dancing comedians, provided an animated interval characterised by some excellent burlesque representations of the highly developed Eastern and Russian show dancing, and of the ciaborato but highly • artificial dancing creations of the "aesthetic" school. The turn was full of interest and enjoyment. Vn?s Rsnda Kudd, a comedienne with a dynamic personality and an arresting type of voice, sang "Down Where... the Rain Drops Never Fall," and "Isn't it Nice?" A well-performed Fkipping dance was ial=o given by the same lady. Fullers' Eleven Wonders, a party cf juvenile performers, reappeared, to the satisfaction of everybody present, and presented a lengthy turn filled with good items. A small boy with a bi» voico sang an oponing and several dance specialties by some of the girls followed. These comprised a Russian dance, » toe dance, a crinoline song and dance, and a pierrot and pierrette dance. The small performers .all exhibited a remarkable aptitude for the work, and'their demonstrations were in every way most .successful and enjoyaole. By way of finale the whole strength of the party co-opeTated 'in a dizzy' succession of whirlwind hand' and foot springing and spinning, varied on occasions by 'rapid pyramid building. The revue by the George Storey company, "Chase Me," 'was an elaborate affair, presented in no fewer than seven scenes, all such scenes being.of the brightest. The comedy work was excellent, and Mr Storey is to bo congratulated in incorporating new elements and new methods into his work. Mr Frank Haining also carried through successfully a well-developed comedy part. The revue was rich' in musical numbers, lending songs being -"Algiers," by Mr Fred. Monument; "Marie," bv Mr Mark Erickson; 'Tm Fifty-four To-day," by Mr Frank Haining; "Sing Along Sambo,]' by Mr Rich Buler; "Smiles," by Miss Dulcie Milner; and "Kiss in tho Dark," by MTes Ada Scaddon. ' A duet, "Fate," by Miss Mabel'o Morgan arid Mr Monument, was also a fine number. Mr Storey, had ft good interval to himself when he sang "I'll Sing a FoxTrot," a classical composition punctuated by various ejaculations which the audience roared out by invitation and prompting. The Super Sextette ballet and-chorus party were never in the baclcground, and they were received with enthusiasm whenever they appeared. A "Dance of the Odalisques," • in gay Eastern costumes, was one of their principal contributions. The Opera House orchestra, under the leadership of Mr Albert Bidgood.. plaved as required with all their celebrated ability.