LAWTON’S NOVELTY COMPANY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 2846, 15 June 1896, Page 2

LAWTON’S NOVELTY COMPANY.

After the many so-called variety and minstrel companies that have inflicted their presence on the public of Wellington, Alf Lawton’s Nqvelty Company .which commenced its season at the Opera House on Saturday night, was a great relief. All the members of the company are exceedingly clever, and of variety there is abundance. There arc several faces new to Wellington, and many old ones. Among the former is Mr Harry Fitsmaurioe, a baritone singer. He has a very good voice, and although apparently suffering from a cold, sang his numhers in good stylo. His best efforts were “I’m off to Philadelphia in the Morning” aid thetoreador’s song from “ Carmen,” both of which were loudly applauded. Mr Fitzmaurice has a fine stage presence, and seems to have hit the public fancy. . Little Miss Florrie Ranger is also new to Wellington andiences, and has already established herself a favourite. In the first part of the programme she sang “I Don’t Want to Play in Your Yard,” fop which she was encored. A character song, “ Gar’ne Away,” in the second part took with the audience immensly. Her versatility in depicting the etyle of the Australian larrikinessea was provocative of much laughter. Ouda, described on the programme as the “ Plying Meteor,” is also new to this city. This performer is a most accomplished trapeze artist, and his teats, though few, wore difficult, and were executed in a finished manner. In one of the feats he balances himself on his knees on the bar of the trapeze and bends down and Eioks up a handkerchief with his month from etween bis knees. Onda also walks along a ladder head downwards, and finishes his performance with a leap across the auditorium from one trapeze to another, diving into the net below. He was loudly applauded, and deservedly so. The fighting kangaroo is also a feature of the entertainment. To show the sagacity of the animal and the excellent way it has been trained by Professor Williams, the performance was a good one. But as a fighter the kangaroo’s ability did not impress the audience much. Tbe animal has one good blow, that is when it stands on its tail and lets out with its hind feet. However, its antics caused great amusement, and the audience were there to be amused. As burlesque and triok skaters, Fred Norris and Harry Williams, are very clever, and the same can be said of James Mooney and Gns Franks for their high kicking and acrobatic feats. Mr Alf Lawton, who is an old Wellington favourite, was well received, and sent the audience into shrieks o{ laughter with his comic songs and fnnny sayings. The other members of the company ate also excellent. There was a large audience, and there should he another to-night, when this clever company will give the same programme. •