ENTERTAINMENTS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 9160, Issue 9160, 9 March 1910, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

RICKARDS' VAUDEVILLE CO.

A large audience witnessed the performance given by the Rickards' Vaudeville Company at the Opera House last night., and it was as enthusiastic a 6 it was numerous. The programme submitted was one of the linest variety scries ever witnessed here and fully deserved the liberal support accorded. There was not a weak spot in the whole combination, whilst the "star" turns are quite numerous. It is quite safe to assert that musical juggling, such as performed by Mr Piper, is as unique ae it is clever in conception and execution; the Trapnoll quartette, three sisters and a brother, execute acrobatic feats at once a marvel of grace, celerity and precision, whilst distinction, even though it is a little late in the day, is added by the presence of the "hero of a hundred lights," the ex-champion boxer of the world, Bob Fitzsiminons. of Timaru, New Zealand, who, together with his artistic wife, contribute most materially to the pleasure and success of the evening. Mr and Mrs Fitzsiminons appeared in a playlet, specially written for them, and descriptive generally of the incidents leading to Fitzsimmons' appearance in the ring and his ultimate famous successes. Incidentally the ex-champion gives a display of ballpunching, during which he exhibited a right and left that it was the consensus of opinion no one would like to stop. The ex-champion was given a great reception, including three rousing cheers from the pit. In the second portion of the programme Mrs Fitzsiminons was heard to great advantage in Tosti'e "Goodbye" and the "Red. Red Rose." her cultured soprano greatly pleasing the audience. In response to an undeniable encore she sang, with great effect, ■mi American c-h;;n;onei to. as sung by a Krencli artisie. Mr Piper, as previously stated, v.iis one of the .successes of the evening, but greatly as the audience appreciated his juggling with the banjo they would have liked some more of his playing. His actual numbers, a stirring march," "The Stars and Stripes," and the intermezzo from "Cavaliera Rustieana." were delightful exhibitions of his capabilities as a musician. Messrs Vaudo and Verne, together with Mr F. Bluett, delighted the audience with their patter and comic songs, each of them being lustily applauded and encored. No finer set of acrobatic feats has ever been witnessed on the local stage than that submitted by the Trapnclls, which was a triumph of skill and wonderful grace. The Wheelers are also quite unique, their clever cycle act being one* of the features of the performance, apparently impossible feat? in equilibrium being executed with an case that made them appear quite ordinary performances. It was undoubtedly a clever turn, and was well received. The performance closed with animated pictures of the Lang-Fitz-simmons fight.