ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17873, 30 August 1921, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

-♦■ OPERA HOUSE. One of the cleverest and most original examples of quick costume-Changing and diverse character portraying which has been .seen for a long time was submitted by Randolph King, a newcomer from England, at the Opera House yesterdav. Appearing as a stranger in a wig shop the artist changed from costume to costume with lightning speed, assuming each time the voice, demeanour, and personality of the various persons \ vein of Humour in many of the impersonations* relieved the serious side of the act, but the final portrayal of a miser and his lonely death was a piece of noteworthy dramatic acting. At other stages in the act the versatile actor proved himself no I mean ventriloquist, and maintained the element of surprise throughout the turn Another act which departed from the usual line of juggling, and combined comedy with skilful work, was that offered by Don Stuart, a juggler whose ugure seems specially endowed for contortion freaks and noveltv. His tricks. so obviously simple when being explained! nevertheless were complete surprises at the end, and his skill was no less for his apparent ingenuousness. There was no doubt about the popularity of Miss Laura Guerite, who had some good songs of a ! serio-comic type, concluding with a character sketch of a London girl, which introduced the Cockney humour and outlook, and appealed to the risable faculties of the audience. Some difficult contortions were accomplished with finished grace by Marshall, a newcomer, whose turn was neat and enjoyable. Richardson Brothers and Cheerie had something new to offer, and their turn met with a generous encore, which resulted in a laughable burlesque. The violin solos of Lola i Stanstonn had a good swing, which set ' the feet tapping, and the audience were ! not slow to give her recognition. New j items were also submitted by Miriam I Mahx and Beatrice Mackenzie and Co. ! The programme will be repeated each j evening and at the usual matinees this week. !

ENGLISH PIERROTS. j The English Pierrots will inaugurate a l return and farewell season of seven nights f at His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday ■* evening. This popular combination of I 1 players have a record of having plaved j i before the public for the last 15 years, j ] The programmes presented include ex- I a cerpts from opera, humorous mono- i ; logues, quartets, solos, dances, latest ! £ London sketches, and novelty items. Dur- j 1 ing a seven weeks' season "in Auckland, ' I which concluded in April of this year, the | S company gained for themselves a host of ! fc admirers. Comedy is a strong feature of \ C the programme, and items presented by I ° Chas. E. Lawrence, Lillian Colenzo, Iza \ Crossly, Edmund Warrington, and Leslie c Austin are always popular- The musical I t side of the company is exceptionally j 1 strong. As on previous visits the quar- j | tet is one of the outstanding features. New | a items will be given for the Auckland * season, with the exception of "A Dud I 5 Dream," a sketch which became popular | r here, and which will be played for the j r first three nights only. The bos plans i » for the seven nights will open to-morrow » at Ijewis Eady's (opposite His Majesty's Theatre).

ROSE GARDEN FAIR

A spectacular entertainment, " Ye Old Rose Garden Fayre," extending over a period of three days, will be opened in 6he Town Hall to-morrow, in aid of the Girls' Friendly Society's hostel building fund. The fair will be open each afternoon and evening. The large hall will be decorated to represent a huge garden of roses, with stalls skirting the walls, and a dancing floor occupying the centre of the hall. An orchestra will be in attendance in the afternoons, and a jazz band in the evenings. Three hundred girls dressed in Quaker costume will assist at the various stalls, while a special Quaker dance and rose garden dances by 30 giris attired as roses will form pretty features of the entertainment. The proceeds of the fair will be added to the fund for the erection of a new hostel accommodating at least 100 girls. The buildino will be specially designed to cater for the large number of girls coming as strangers from the country. Tickets for the entertainment, including dance tickets, are obtainable N at Lewis Eady's. Contributions to the fund should be sent to the organising secretary, the Rev. C. H. Grant Cowen, St. Matthew's Vicarage.