THEATRE ROYAL.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 108, 7 May 1912, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

MISS CARRIE MOORE, COMEDIENNE. All Australia knows Miss Carrie Moore to be a piquant comedienne, and grave England too has hall-marked this clever little lady who has abandoned I musical comedy for the halls — which is | the fashion of theatrical greatnesses of late. Tho lively Australian made a first I ! appearance in New Zealand at the Theatre Royal last evening, and was welcomed warmly by a crowded and eager audience. Moore did not entirely capture the house last evening. Perhaps' it is because her bright and clever work is a little too refined — is, perhaps, such a cultured vaudeville as the average! patron of the halls can scarcely appreciate fully as yet, not having been overfed of it. The appearance of Miss Moore on our vaudeville stage is but a sign of the times. At Home accomplished artists in every sense of the word are crowding to the halls, and it means that, in time, the more flagrant and fierce vaudeville of red whiskers, flaming noses, sac (k) suits, and broad suggestion will die the death it desorves. People are beginning to demand the clever specialty artibt, and tho clever specialty artist fat fees, and each demand is being met. So the tendency of tho halls is upward : it is a good sign. Miss Moore s first item last evening was entitled "The Las,t Waltz," a melody by Bennett Scott. It is a rather meretricious composition and only Miss Moore's acting made it acceptable. Sne has that charming personality which has assisted her to success in the "legiti■mate.'^ She also has what is essentially a musical comedy voice, sweet, and flexible enough, aoe} an appealing grace of movement. A much more effective number was a "telephone" performance, "All Alone," given with a natural archness and piquancy. Miss Moore's next appearance was in a species of monologue, "A Woman's Eyes" — which appeals chiefly to the emotions, and is obviously melodramatic. Easily her most successful effort was the singing and acLing of Lionel Monckton's "They Never do That in Yorkshire." In this the comedienne lost all trace of that Australian accent which was noticeable in the earlier pieces. The characterisation Was delightfully conceived and achieved, and Miss jtfoore was deservedly cheered for her clever and reticent artistry. The Fuller management can also be congratulated on having obtained such a splendid specialty turn as the Siddons provide. These two deft and daring athletes arc styled "sensational equilibrists" and the designation is not exaggerated. The Siddons do some remarkable work on cues balanced on the edges of chairs, which chairs are set back to back of the fringe of tables. Another phase sees the heavier man support on his shoulders one cue with his partner on top. It is a dangerous and clever work. Alick Lauder owes what success he ' gained chiefly to (a) being the brother of Harry Lauder, (b) to a pair of excellently stout legs, (c) to a Scotch accent. Bella Per man has obviously not forgotten how to dance, Marshall Palmer sings picture songs, Daniel Llewelyn (tenor)* pretty ballads, and O'Dell ' and Hart, an American comedy team, make for a lot of jollity , — that is tho man does. There aie other* who fill a niche. The programme will be repeated this evening.