ABBOTTS OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9539, 4 December 1889, Page 5

ABBOTTS OPERA HOUSE.

RICKARDS , COMEDY COMPANY. The new Comedy Company under the management.of Mr. 11. Richards opened yesterday evening at the Opera House, before ft crowded audience. The company is a variety combination of quite unusual merit; and it may bo doubted whether a more varied and attractive programme has been presented to Auckland playgoers by any similar ooinpany. The performers are the best of their kind, and there is an originality and dash about their jokes, songs, and business which is very refreshing. The performance opened with a farcical comedy entitled "Ma-in-Law," which served excellently to bring in a number of songs, dancee, and character sketches. Mr. Harry Rickards appeared in four parts—Fred Neville (a spendthrift swell), Clarence Fitzfuddle (ditto), Flash Jimmy (a costermonger), and Fred Neville (a soldier), each character singing an appropriate song with dramatic action. Mr. Rickards is a well-known favourite, and his efforts were warmly encored. Mrs. Rickards appeared as Lillian (Neville's wife) and as Estella (a vivandiere), parts which did not- allow much scope for her talents, but which she filled very pleasingly. This is her first appearance since her recent severe illness in Melbourne. She received a handsome bouquet of white lilies. Miss Ada Delroy and Mr. James Bell, in addition to other characters, gave a delightfully fresh and amusing representation of an innocent Lancashire country lass and lad in London. It was killingly funny, and was greeted with roars. Miss GeorgioDevoe, Miss M. Constance, and Mr. Fred Davys completed the cast, and filled their respective roles very creditably. The second part of the programme was opened with a clever and graceful skipping-rope performance by Miss Constance, which was very well received. The Murphies, Pat and Ella, followed with screamingly funny impersonations of Irish diameter. " Pat," especially, made repeated hits which brought down the house. Their skotch of Irish Felicity is really worth seeing by those in search of a hearty laugh. The next item was one which has nob been seen in' Auckland for many years, namely, a marionette exhibition. This is really a show within a show, and is alone worth all the entrance money. The performance was an exceedingly funny, not to say somewhat mysterious one, and was received with roars of laughter and applause. The manipulators were Mr. F. Davis and Miss Devoe. Mr. James Bell was very droll and dryly humourous in his comic banjo song, and his wonderful bone solo took immonsely. In her artistic song and dance, " Sweet Bouquet," Miss Ada Delroy was bright, piquant, and charming, and made herself a warm favourite. One of the best items in the programme was Mr. Rickards' descriptive scena, " Tho Bridge." This was a remarkably fine piece of dramatic singing. The scenery too, specially painted by Gordon, was very beautiful. The musical part of the entertainment concluded with a genuine treat by two artists of the first water —the Spanish Students—Manuel Lopez and Marcano Martini, who gave some selections on tho mandoline and guitar. Manuel Lopez, nephew of the great Lopez, is said to be the finest mandolino player in the world. The item was a very fine one, and was evidently appreciated by tho audience, who loudly demanded an encore. Tho programme concluded with a farce of the usual rough-and-tumble order. It was funny certainly, but after the Spanish Students' performance, it was a decided anticlimax. The entertainment was also sufficiently long without it. The whole show is a capital one, and is sure to be visited by all who can spare the needful shilling. Both Mr. Rickards , and Mr. Bland Holt's companies are unfortunate, as owing to the alterations in the Union Company's time-table, the latter has to remain in Auckland a week in idleness, while the former's season hero will be cut down to one week, instead of a fortnight as originally intended, tho company being due in Sydney on Boxing night. Last night's programme will bo repeated to-night; but there will bo a change to-morrow, and on Saturday afternoon there is to be a special day performance.