ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18707, 13 May 1924, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

; I ;. * i ~ , ' OPERA HOUSE. t . The Opera House was well filled at both' > i performances of the new programme pre'j sented yesterday. The audiences showed 1 their , appreciation of all the items in an | unmistakable manner, which was fully ) merited. Two acts were presented here 1 for the first time this week, both of which I were of an unusual nature," and of a high I standard. The entertainment was opened : by the old favourites, Athas and Collins, i whose re-engagement for another week ap- ' peared to be fully - justified judging, by ; the applause that greeted their appear- . an ce. . A clever burlesque of an old- | fashioned melodrama was the chief feature ' of their performance, which also included ; the vocal numbers, " Jimcraek Johnny .; ; and "Baby," and some !- clever eccentric i dancing. f 'Soli," a newcomer, presented '• a novel musical turn ;on r the ' marimba t : or xylophone, , as ■ it" is more commonly ■ called. His wrist action was marvellous in its rapidity,- while, the "expression ' he achieved upon his instrument was a re: : velation to most of his' hearers. His num- ! bers, "Old Comrades-March," on the steel bells, "Poet and Peasant Overture, . and ' a . Jazz Medley - were ■ heartily applauded. : Maud Courtenay and Mr. - C. again de--1 lighted their 1 :' audiences with their .clever ; local ,colouring, introduced into popular ' songs. One number, entitled "I'd Love i You Still," in which Mr. "C. an several/ i verses : from the dress circle,' was partic- ! ularly well received. - The other new arrival was a clever animal- act-by Adrian : troupe of performing dogs and monkeys. , At the afternoon performance ' the animals were' ' inclined . to get out lof : hand, * owing • no doubt to ; the new stage surroundings; nevertheless, ! the audience} showed, their . appreciation ' very plainly.- In the evening, however, • the animals seemed to 9 have settled. down, : Mid performed their tricks with an almost human intelligence. These tricks i include ■& skipping competition by three of ,the logs, and 1 a steeplechase by two crogs, with monkeys as jockeys. A small monkey is the "comedian" of the troupe,V and lis antics created much , laughter. A ! feature of the act is the obvious friendship between animals and master. The 1 ' Stiffy and Mo Revue Company make their, • fare well" appearance this week in by far- ; the cleverest burlesque they have produced here. As the title, "The Policemen ' suggests, great possibilities are afforded or the two inimitable comedians, and of 'hese they availed themselves to the ful- ■ 'est extent. The final court scene, although burlesqued almost beyond recognition, was the cause of uproarious mirth, and concluded amidst deafening applause. All the performers acquitted themselves most creditably; but most worthy of comment was the work of Miss Gladys Shaw, who appeared for the first time during >;he season in a serious part, which, suited ) her even better than . the comedy ; roles ' ! in which she has previously appeared. The musical numbers include "Sunny Tennessee," by request, sung by Connors and Paul, "On the Road," and "Blue-eyed ' Mary's,*' Peter Brooks, "Jack Tar," and ' '/Silver Lining," Queenie .Paul, "Linger • Awhile/' Dot Davis, and "Still We Go : On," by Keith Connolly. The work of i the ballet, •as usual, was a distinctive ; feature of the piece - . _ < . '!' GRAFTON LIBRARY CONCERT. ; [ The winter course at the Grafton Library will be opened this evening .with ; a . concert' arranged, by Mr. Walter Im--1 pett, when a programme of- vocal, instru- ? mental;' elocutionary ; and humorous items will be submitted. ' ;. v ;" ;" 'l