FULLER'S OPERA HOUSE.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19813, 28 December 1929, Page 6

FULLER'S OPERA HOUSE.

So popular did the Jim Gerald Kevue Company make themselves on the occasion of their previous visits to Christchurch that it was not surprising that a crowded audience gave the comedian and bis merry band a particularly warm welcome when they reappeared at the Opera House this week. Since they were last in the City the com pany have gained much more experience, new turns have been secured, and new artists added to their strength. Consequently the quality of the performance offered is as high as one could wish for. The big production of the evening is the musical revue "Barebackf," which introduces many bright fea tures, in which snappy comedy, colourful ballets, good clean jokes, most of which are fortunately not of the chestnut variety, smart frocking, and brilliant scenes play a big part. Such a piece, full as it is of so many different features, does not need a plot to carry it to success, but it does possess a slender one.

Some sixteen years before the period of the play a baby heiress has been picked up and taken away by the proprietor of a travelling circus. The girl's relatives have endeavoured for years to trace her, but always without success, until a firm of private detectives takes up the case. The sleuth who has been engaged to find the heiress is Tom Pigh, who makes heavy weather of his task, but who, nevertheless, blunders through to success eventually, and is able to claim the reward of £IOOO offered by the relatives.

Vaudeville turns and some entertaining sketches comprised the first half of the bill. The outstanding number was a scene in which an old-time minuet was danced _in costumes of the period, the vocal solo being sung by Miss Linda Foy, and the solo dance executed by Miss Vi Pitt. The dresses in this offering were beautiful, as also was the setting. Mr Ronnie Shand appeared in a solo dance, which was characterised by wonderful agility, and Miss Lily Coburn sang a snappy little number, entitled "So Is Your Old Lady." The supporting turns were up to standard.