OPERA HOUSE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVI, Issue 12696, 30 December 1901, Page 5

OPERA HOUSE.

Dix's Gaiety Company presented a new programme on Saturday'evening to ai good audience. The first part opened with a new chorus, entitled "Santa. Claus," and was followed by a ballad, "A Bird! Wi£h a Broken Wing," which was heartily welcomed. Mr Marion introduced some new absurdities, and had to respond to several encores. Mr Wallace King sang exceptionally well, and was enthusiastically recalled. Sivroni's singing, his comical facial expression, amusing chatter, agile tumbling, and finally his indiarubber dance evoked loud applause. The audience was quite fascinated with his performance, and hecreated a still further favourable impression when, assisted by Miss Amy Silvini, he gave a burlesque on Italian opera. Mr A. Lawton kept his audience in a simmer of laughter with his quaint humour. The three Valdares introduced hew feats on the bicycle, which were uncommonly clever. Mr Valdare appears to be able to work the pedals with any part of his body, and is more frequently out of the seat than in it. He is ably assisted by the two ladies, who show great intrepidity, and the whole performance is marked by neatness and grace. The "tramp" cyclist, Mr T. Powers, kept the audience in roars of laughter by his exceedingly comic and apparently extremely dangerous antics with his machine, and it is surprising how he gets through his act without .breaking any bones. The Coleman Sisters both possess strong and fresh voices, and are capable dancers. Their first item was loudly applauded, and had to be repeated. They also gave a very clever exhibition of acrobatic work. The Worrall Sisters gave a clever song and dance. These young ladies are becoming favourites with the Opera House audiences. The performance closed with a sketch by the Sivronis. The fame programme will be repeated nightly this week.