PRINCESS THEATRE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18804, 6 March 1923, Page 4

PRINCESS THEATRE

It was a generous and varied entertainment that was presented tho Princess Theatre last evening in the form of a new programme, and it should lin'd high favour with vaudeville patrons during the remainder of the current week. Of first importance there is Apdale’s Zoological Circus, which provides probably one of the acts in the way of performing animals that has ever been seen in, Dunedin. The performers include monkeys, bears, dogs, an ant-eater, and a baboon, and they disport themselves on the stage with tho greatest abandon in a series of feats that arc at once clever and highly diverting. The bears, monkeys, and dogs ride bicycles and draw vehicles and dance and race and skip about the stage ' like miniature human beings, while “Mutt,” the baboon, enacts a comedy role in a manner that would do no discredit to some of his loss arboreal relatives. The performances of the circus from . first to last are full of surprised, and it would needs be a very blase theatre-goer who did not find his interest very keenly stimulated by the whole turn, which has now entered upon its last week in Dunedin.

Among the other items of Hho evening none found greater favour or revealed more merit than that presented by Charles HanIrury with the able assistance of Miss Doris Mills. Mr Hanbury is an English comedian of parts, and his matrimonial sketch “After the Honeymoon” is one of the most amusing things seen at the Princess Theatre for some time. The husband, after spending a night out, has Ids feelings of remorse keenly stimulated by- reading in a society journal how wives should be treated, and his better half's bewildered incredulity at the exaggerated kindnesses which he showers upon her form the bagis of much delightful comedy. At last he grows exasperated by her inability to comprehend his motives, and the fun becomes fast and .furious, ending in a climax that contains all the elements of the 'ludicrous. Here and there the little sketch may bo a (ride overdone, but it is so divertiiigly humorous that this slight drawback can bo readily forgiven. Tiro Royal Grand Opera Singers, attired with appropriate picturesqueness, again appeared in a fresh routine of items from a number of well-known operas, and sang with their customary artistry and finish. The “La. Traviata” item was perhaps one of the best things they did, but the ‘Tannhausor” items were also admirably rendered, and Ihe whole offering added appreciably to the prestige of this capable little band. It is not often that a group of vocalists who perform so pleasingly in concerted numbers make their appearance in Hun cilin, and as Iho Royal Grand Opera Singers are now in their last week those who have not heard them should not fail to do so. Louie Duggan, who appears early in the evening, uses her pleasant voice to admirable effect in several new songs, and with the infusion of a little more animation she should prove oven more popular than she is at present. In her personality and her singing Miss Duggan possesses ‘two valuable assets, and there is no reason why she should not go far in vaudeville. Nell and Braddy Shaw are a, very jovial couple, who are apparently in the best of humours with themselves, and they very soon succeed in putting everyone else in a good humour. Some of their patter is quite amusing, and the male member of the duo performs with no little skill on the trombone, getting quite a subdued tone out of an instrument that requires a- good deal of restraining. Elsa Lewis again appears in a gipsy srena, and plays the violin in a manner that commands much admiration. It is a, tasteful little turn which she presents, and she left, the stage amid an outburst of very cordial applause. Harry North gave additional evidence of his command over the concertina by playing a number of selections, ranging from music of a good class to that of a more popular typo; and the Hilo Trio rounded ofT a thoroughly enjoyable two hours’ entertainment with a fresh routine of the dreamy melodies of Waikiki. Mr Stokes’s orchestra, as usual, was a tower of strength lb the whole entertainment, which will bo repeated to-night.