THEATRE ROYAL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1242, 26 September 1911, Page 6

THEATRE ROYAL.

Good vaudeville is showing at the Theatre Royal. . The old familiar first part, consisting of the circle, with its brace of "eight o'clock darkies'," has been done away with, and the American system of single turns has succeeded. Last evening the dairJty soubrette, Miss Dolly Courtenay, opened the performance with-a catchy little song, entitled "Honey Honeymoon," and had to respond to an encore. Ern Delavale followed, and gave a good rendering of the song, "All Through a Gee Gee Gee." By special request he sang "Gallery and tho Boxes." V.ernon and Mack ' made their first appearance before a Wellington audience, and performed some excellent feats in hand-balancing. Both appeared to be in good fettle, and their turn was mucli appreciated. Miss Nellie Searle, who is now an established favourite with Theatre Eoyal audiences, was. heard to advantage in "Crinoline and Ringlets," and had to respond to an emphatic encore. Miss Nora Gambria sang "The moon has his eyes on you," and "Will Gilbert made, a hit with songs, comic and otherwise. Miss Lily Yockjer, who appeared to be a great favourite, wae heard both -in the first and second parts of ■ the programme, and sang quite a budget of songs in her usual etyle. Harry Sadler was also responsible for causing much amusement, and gave a number of old favourites. In the second half Sam La Mert, siffleur and mimic, although suffering from a sore throat, whistled his "way into popular favour. His items included a medley of popular airs and choruses, selections from ."The Bohemian Girl," ami imitations of various animals in a farmyard. The star attraction of the evening was the athletic act of Franz and Mounier. Their weightlifting exhibitions were quile astonishing. In tho first part of their performance botb showed their muscular prowess to advantage. ~,They then juggle'd with weights ranging' from 56 to 1501b. with apparent ease. After ithis Mounier transfixed the audience by lifting hie partner, who weighs over 12st., from the floor above his head with one arm. To show what can be done with one's teoth, Franz carries Mounier.up a ladder 12ft. high, the latter carrying a 561b. weight. Juggling with 1121b. weights seems easy (o these giants, and they throw theso lumps of metal to oao another with ease The act of (the evening is ano entitled tho "Mounier Bridge." In this Mounier forms himself into a bridge, with his head resting on one stool and feet on another. In this position ho carries Franz, who in turn is carrying a 561b. weight, and an attendant, the whole weight coming on tho "Human Bridge's" neck. Jnst before the close Delavalo and Gilbert give some patter and song, which constitutes a bright and lively finale. The same programme will be repeated to-night and following evenings.