OPERA HOUSE FIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19503, 6 December 1926, Page 12

OPERA HOUSE FIRE.

BUILDING A TOTAL LOSS. ARTISTS SUFFER HEAVILY. COSTUMES AND PROPERTY* Complete ruin resulted from the fire at Fullers' Opera House on Friday night, water severely damaging what the fire did not consume. Tho brick walls are all that remain intact. The building, with the furnishings, was insured in Lloyd's for £25,000. The artists of ihe Midnight Frolics Company lost practically all their property, and while this was insured for £3OOO in the Phoenix Assurance Company, the destruction of many costumes and comedy effects that cannot be replaced has involved a loss considerably over that amount. While definite plans have not been made, the nightly vaudeville performances are until further notice to continue at the Prince Edward Theatre in Karangahape Road, where a successful initial performance under the new conditions was Riven on Saturday evening. Perhaps no company in the history of the Auckland stage has been faced with such an ordeal as that which fell to the lot of the Midnight Frolics Company on Saturday night. While the full house secured its night's amusement under conditions quite as favourable as in the old quarters, probably few, realised tho fight both the management and the actors had against disheartening odds to prevent any interruption in the week's programme. Comedian's Experience, "I have not slept since Friday morning," said Mr. Clem Dawe, the comedian, when he returned to his dressing room after sending the audience into shrieks of laughter with the host of fun he managed to extract from a property loaf. It was obvious when the deft touches of paint were removed. "In fact, none of us have," he added, "and even on the stage we cannot help thinking of that fire, and all it has meant. I cannot yet dismiss from my mind the destruction of lots of things we have carried all round the world, none of which can be replaced." Saturday was indeed a busy day for all connected with the Opera House. The decision to have "business as usual" was no sooner made than staff and revue company set to work. The few costumes recovered from the saturated rooms were sent to the dry cleaners, scenery was borrowed from the Auckland Operatic Society, and new timbering and ropes made up. More permanent fittings will be erected in the Prince Edward Theatre during the week. v - What remained of the Opera House dressing rooms on Saturday was in gloomy contrast to the bright pictures with which one is accustomed to associate them. The water lay at a depth of several inches ir some, and not only the workmen, but also the girls of the company, puddled about in bare feet. Destruction of Wardrobes. Jlt.s. Lubbe, who was in charge in the absence of Mr. Ray Fuller, at Russell, says that all the management saved were the contents of a safe and of her desk The wardrobes of Fullers' Musical Box Revue and of "Rockets," brought from Sydney by the Midnight Frolics Company, were among the losses. A cornetist, Mr. Martin Matthews, a member of the Charleston Band, who is rtow in hospital, left his banjo and steel guitar in the theatre, and these by a strange piece of luck were untouched, although the rooms surrounding that in which they had been left were badly burned and drenched. "Tho way the Midnight Frolics Company worked was simply wonderful," said Mrs. Lubbe. Too much could not bo said of the way in which fihey set to work in salvaging what was llefl of their goods and ensuring the success of the performance. That the entertainment proceeded as if there had net been the slightest accident was largely due to the heroic way thoy had acted in spite of their heavy losses. The Frolic Company also spoke in glowing terms cii: the management. A Fortunate Circumstance. Both Mr. Edgley and Mr. Dawe are congratulating themselves on a narrow escape which they consider the oompany had on Friday night. "It ts the first time for years that we have left th«> theatre directly after the performance," said Mr. Edgjey. "We usually sit for close on an hour for a smoke and a chat, but everybody seemed to be tired on Friday, so we got out. It *;as just as well. You know what a lucky escape the only three people who were in the building had. Where would we be. now if wo had stopped in those dressing-rooms ? The " Wedding Breakfast' to-night would have been cancelled, I'm afraid!" Yesterday, instead of undertaking a fishing trip to which they had been looking forward for weeks, the company had to continue the salvage operations. The net result was a number of "washing costumes," and their fears that most of the properties bad been destroyed are now confirmed.