AMUSEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIVI, Issue 17700, 29 January 1918, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE). Nowadays it is almost exceptional to find a vacant seat at the Opera House when the curtain rises. That was the experience last night, when the evening’s entertainment included fresh items in tho vaudeville portion. The revue presented by the Walter Johnson Musical Comedy Company on Friday, “ Tho Parisian Models,” was repeated very successfully. Tho smart little play suits the public taste in all respects, and is without question the best of the many good revues produced by Mir Johnson’s clever and bright coterie of singers, dancers and merrimentmakers. Where all was so excellent last night, it eeems almost out of place to draw distinctions, but if exceptions must be made, perhaps it should be in favour of Lydia Came, that delightful little artist whose sweet voice and artistic dancing have made her a great favourite. - Her “ Dance Passionelle” was again a feature of the solo dancing section. Stella Starr also sang her solos expressively and with sweet voice, while Lola Hunt again found many well-deserved favours for her pleasing singing and her allTound good stage work. Gua Franks and Harry Burgess kept the audience in one continued bubble of merriment, and Ernest Lashbrook was responsible for several firstclass contributions, notably hi 3 singing of a popular song and his " Champagne Dance," with Misses Phillips, Hilson, Williams and Morris. The burlesque “ Dance a la Russe ” at the final curtain was tho merriest moment of all. and provided a fitting close to a good show. Comment would not be complete without complimenting Mr Bidgood’s orchestra upon its excellent accompanying. The Musical Bentleys were the newcomers in the vaudeville programme, and a royal welcome was extended to this clever couple. They again performed on their sweet-toned Marimba xylophone, and captivated their hearers with a beautiful interpretation of Novin’s ever acceptable creation, “ The Rosary." Suppe’s “ Poet and Peasant” overture, brilliantly played, was also included in their programme contributions. The Bentleys were heartily applauded, and, indeed, the audience was very loth to let them leave the stage. Maud Courtney and Mr C„ two of the smartest musical entertainers seen on the boards of the Opera House, contributed several new items and added their full share to the enjoyment of the programme. The remaining turn was that of tho Three Carrs, a trio of fascinating juveniles, whose pretty singing has made them prime favourites. • . , The same programme will be presented at to-night’s performance, commencing at 7.45 o’clock. “YOU’RE IN LOVE.” The J. C. Williamson's New Musical Comedy Company will make its appearance at the Theatre Royal on Monday evening, the opening production being the record-breaking mueical play “ You’re in Love.” There are just on 100 people in the company, and the wincirals include Alfred; Frith, who appears as Aloysius Wjx; Fred Maguire (Lacey Har?); Harry B. Burches- (Judge Brewster, who waa specially imported to produce the play); Seymour Middleton (Captain Bulwmkle); Jack Hooker and Tom Preston (Bill Blake and Jim Merritty, sailors aboard the High Hope); Field Fisher (Percy Pinklove, boatswain of the High Hope); William Greene (Hobby Douglas); Maud Fane (Georgina); Cecil Brafiey (Dorothy); Madge Elliott (Hilda); Dorothy Purdell iJosio): Gwen Withers (cabin boy of the High Hope); and Connie Ediss (Mira Payten). The comedy is in two acts The first is the Sun Parlour, at the Santa Monica Hotel, Southern California, and the second is on hoard the High Hope at sea. Mr Leslie Board is said to have surpassed himself at his colour effects, and the costuming: depicts the latest in tne world a models. There aro no fewer than twenty special vocal items, opart from the usual score and ballet and choru3. The second l production, on Friday week, is the musical farce “ Canary Cottage.” The box plan for the season of seven nights will be opened at Messrs Milner and Thompson’s to-morrow morning.