D X'S GAUTY COMPANY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2428, 26 September 1900, Page 55

D X'S GAUTY COMPANY.

The Princess Theatre was crowded to its utmost limits on Wednesday evening, when Dixs Gaiety Company opened a season which will extend over some seven weeks. The management for some time past has had comxmnies of a simi-

lar kind 1 tinning in the northern cities, and so far as present indications are concerned, these companies are likely to remain m possession of then 1 respective places of entertainment for a considerable time. Emboldened by the success he met with in these cities, Mr Dix secured a lengthy lease of the theatre here, and last evening introduced to Dunedm playgoers a vai'iety company that will compare more than favourably with the genera) run of such organisations that have from time to time m the past paid us a visit. The season was opened under the most encouraging circumstances, as, long before the hour for the commencement of the performance, the theatre \vas crowded to the doors, and when the curtain finally, lose, shortly after 8 o'clock, a large number had failed to gain admission. The programme was framed on the usual variety lines, the first part being composed of a, miscellaneous seiies of items, In the delivery of winch each member of the company was introduced to the audience. . A pleasing depaiturc fiom the ordinary stage arrangements, howe\ er, was made by the employment of econic effects to represent the deck of a vessel lying at anchor in a moonlit harbour. The company took their seats on the' deck, the interlocutor (Mr Walter Biveis) occupying a central position, and flanked by ' attractive young ladies, while tile wings were composed of the usual "' end-ii"" , % ' t i iv opening chorus, in which the lending p i' '\? well taken by Mr Walter R'vci-'-, ci.-h */ * party proceeded to do a " tin ' With Hip i , ception of Mr .Rivers, all wei i. i'> I'u.icclni aucl they, v/ero accoijled. a A'^-iy* ucwj-'U-Jii.

MibS Ida Eoslyn, who possesses a voice of excellent quality, immediately secured the approbation of hei audience m the .'-ong and dance, ■" Nick-nacks." But it was as a danseuso the young lady secured lor heiself the principal amount' oi applause, foi her " serio-comic gems, ia which her skill m dancing was greatly biought into x 21011111161106) were amongst the most successful of the evening's contubutions. Miss Idp Ciaik^on was announced as appearing for the first time in New Zealand. She has a hght soprano voice, which, although a lutle thin, is oi nice quahtj, and she renders her music with no small degree of taste. Her singing of '" Depr heart" and other solos was loudly encored. The two " tambo men," Mr Albert M'Ki&son and Mr Jack Koarns, proved themselves amongst the mam supports of the company. They are undeniably clever jn their line, for both aie tumbleis, and can assume some exceedingly giotesque attitudes. Their songs and jokes kex^t the fun gong during the evening ; but they scored their principal success in their " knockabout x 3er: f o;l " mance ) hi which they apx^eared as a couple of what are known as "stage Irishmen." The two other corner men also did really excellent woik, their singing and acting winning for them frequent demonstrations of approval. Mr Tom Leonaid's humorous contribution, entitled Brie Brae, ' wa.. delivered with a speci-illy capital eftect. He hacl to reax^ear no leas than three times in response to encoies. Miss Beatrice Smith was "down" for a serio-comic solo; but as she suffered from a cold, she had to content herself with a skipping-rope dance. She executed, this so cleverly that an encore was requested. She was also made the recipient of a handsome floral tribute. Mr Rivers, who is an old favourite with Dunedm audiences, sang with excellent skill and t?ste the ballad "' Cheer up, mother,' which also elicited an encore. In the Sisters Sfaunton the company possess a pair of danseuse3 that will make themselves popular with the patrons of the theatre. Their dancing is excellent, and evoked the waimest expressions of appreciation. The principal xsel'f°rnierx 5el 'f° rnier in the company is Mr

James Bain, described in the programme as " Australia's Premier Lion Coniique." It is doubtful if most people are sufficiently versed in stage technique to quite appieciate the meaning of this designation of the gentleman, but that it is capable of a very flattering construction is popularly believed. And Mr Bain con's inced those last evening that he is deserving of very high commendation, for his performance was the piece^de resistance of tlie evening. Ho sang various "comic songs in different attires, and moved the audience to upioarious and prolonged outbursts of laughter, while the dialogues he delivered and the quips and sallies which interlarded hi& peiformance were equally funny. His pocket comedian, " the boy Bain," also acquitted himself with credit. The cycling feats and tricks of the Delavales were certainly the best of their kind ever seen in Dunedin. The manner m which the two performers balanced themselves on the mach'nes, tha exliaoidmary methods by which they propelled and guided them, and the amusing incidents imported into the performance rendered it one not likely to be forgotten. The juggler "Rexo " also won a full share of the honours of the evening. He performed some remarkably clever ieats of legerdemain, such as balancing a sword, a table, and a tub on his chin and head, and throwing balls about. Master ( ' ul '■"ill' 1 .r. jir \i. 1 hail&elf a clever little \e-iiil" torn i,i'',' v' '! sang his f-olos m a i ht i iJis.i '|i'->im vuU> plicited an encore, nil M.i 4i'i J. 1 (i 'vn displayed undoubted ii oil ',, t > \ hi' 'j; flaying do Belief* "i'laii pn,' ioi wiii'jli he was lccalled. Un-

fortunately, the programme, owing to the frequency with which encores were demanded, was prolonged to an unseasonable hour, and it was found necessary to delete a portion at the end. On Satuiday evening the Princess Theatre was crowded in every x^art long before the cm tain rose, and many were unable to gain admission. The piogramme was carried thiough m an entirely satisfactory manner. The chief work devolved upon Mr James C. Bain, whose comic songs and droll remarks kept the audience in a cont.imous state of merriment. His miniature assistant. Boy Bam, was also 'the cause of great amusement. Miss Ida Boslyn quite captivated the audience, and has fiimly established herself as a favourite. Messis M'Kisson ynd licarns weie excellent in their ecmic acrobatic act, and won lounds of ai> plause. Miss Ida Claik&oa's singing of Scotch ballads met with favour, and the clever trick cyclists, the Delavales, the conjuicr, Bexo, and Miss Beatrice Smith all shared in the liberal applause bestowed. Master Jack Gariy's solos on the saxophone, a unique lnstiunient, were well played. The midget coniique, Claude Sullivan, Mr T. Leonaid, and the Sisteis> Staunton also appeared. , The same x:)x :)1 Oo lamme w^'l be givoii for two more nights, and on Wednesday e\euijig Mr Charles? Hog.o, an old Dunedm (favourite,' will make his appearance. ■