PRINCESS THEATRE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17576, 18 March 1919, Page 7

PRINCESS THEATRE

Nikola was the only newcomer at the Princess Theatre last evening. Nikola has been seen before by % nd that the favourable impression he 'then made was a lasting one was demonstrated by the keen anticipation- with which his appearance on the stage was awaited. % His legerdemain work witn a glass of water, a top hat, and a silk handkerchief was pWticularly clever, and the mysterious manner in wmch he caused a number of flags to become separated to form- now colour combinations was also neatly carried out With the aid of a large whito screen and a pair ot flexible hands Nikola then showed on the screen the heads of a number of generals made famous through the war, and his artistio efforts in this direction were loudly applauded. The concluding (shadow—a swan —was a fine pieco of life-like work. Nikola's act suflorea to some extent by the foolish interjections of the male occupants of one of the boxes, and he had to out the first part short. ' Signor and Signora Molinari could not but feel satisfied with the reception accorded them last night, each of their several ihtmbers being loudly applauded. The classic duet "Miserere" ("II Irovatoro") was rewarded with an imperamt encore » anc ! th« accomplished duo gave Ihe MarseiUaise" as a concluding item Signora Molinari also sang "Coming Home , ' in most tasteful fashion, and the solo numj y ° lgnor M °linari was h'kewise rewarded with a clamourous encore: Bright ; e and Carlyon, who have firmly established themselves as great favourites at the Princes 3 Ihoatre, were heard in another attractive melange of songs, dancing, * and cross-talk. Iho lady made her appearance in a striking new costume, and brought down the house with a song m which she informed the audience that she was not as simple as she looked. Their success of last week— "Destiny," _ a waltz danced in two-step to a pretty piece of music—was repevated in answer to a special request, and the performance, was then held up until the two Versatile artists contributed their contrasting little comedy—before marriage and after marriage at the pictures—which was a feature of their turn last week. , Brighty and Carlyon aro billed as in their last week. The first half. of tho programme was in the hands of the Mammoth Minstrels, and Ward Lear, Walter Emerson, Miss Marjorio Alwynne, and the other' members of tho company, with story son??, and danco, capably played their part in tho opening's entertainment.