GRAND OPERA HOUSE.

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 155, 29 December 1925, Page 9

GRAND OPERA HOUSE.

For an hour last night a packed audience at the Grand Opera House eat amazed at the performance of Herschel Heiilare, described as "the clown at the piano"; but it is by no means a clownish act. It is a'revelation in piano playing, and full of whimsical eccentricities that delight and evoke real applause. Henlare is an artist to his expressive finger tips. In classics and jazz numbers he is completely at home, and his melange of melodies is a treat to hear. Original "gagging" is a feature of this artist's turn, punctuated with actions and interruptions that keep the audieuce at the fever pitch of enthusiasm. His musical steeplechase, introducing older songs that have been famous through the years, is notable, and the audience last night joined in the singing and whistling of the old airs with great gusto. His left-hand monologue act was almost dramatic, the fingers outlining the story while tlia player explains tlio theme. Tin; thread of "Yes, wo have no bananas," when running through the old composers' works is something to hear and wonder about. The turn took the house by storm, and Hcnlnre was obliged to make a little speech of thanks. But it was the audience that was thankful. The supporting programme is fine, too, and in Scott Sanders, composer of the song, YOn the Road to Anywhere," is a delightful Scotch comedian, who."gives" of his best in most im-Scotsinanlike manner. His quips are new and good, and his burlesque work refined and clever. The audience gasps with surprise at the close of the turn of Lee Mason and Sunny, for of this daintily dressed duo one is a male, and everything conduced to mystifying. The Three Swifts present a rare juggling act. It is new in every hurricane swing, while the nonsensical behaviour of the trio adds to the novelty of a clever act. Lydia and Desmond are dancers of grace, introducing several new and interesting steps. The Benos, Alma and Ben, do some exceedingly daring trapeze work, the girl partner swinging over the heads of the audience in a sensational finale. Fantasi, a wonderful child contortionist, is a human frog _ m a quaint woodland setting, and twists and turns herself into knots, but it is not unpleasant in the least; it is amazing. The whole progrrainmn is rounded off with, orchestral interludes, and^ tliu bill is entertaining to a degree. There will be a matinee on New Year s Jpay.