NEW EMPIRE VAUDEVILLE COMPANY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2934, 8 June 1910, Page 89

NEW EMPIRE VAUDEVILLE COMPANY.

Messrs Fuller and Sons' New Empire Company presented at the Alhambra Theatre on the 6th a new programme of exceptional merit. All seats were occupied early, and late arrivals who secured standing room seemed to deem themselves fortunate. The eccentricity of make-up of the Do-lle-Mi trio is a remarkable one. The trio commence by tearing one chair into three chairs, from which points of vantage they extract strains of music from the most unlikely instruments. They knock each other about; they drink out of bottles which contain melodies; they play sleigh bells and the fool. The turn is a clever one, being one of those absurdities dear to the hearts of patrons of the Paris Casino. Another severe tax on the risible muscles is supplied; by Guillaume, Baby, and Co., who put on a burlesque of everything, in general, and bring it to a triumphant climax in a Spanish' bull fight. There is a miniature arena, and miniature but fiercely aggressive bulls which butt toreador, matador, horse, arid other sundries clean ofi) the stage. The turn incidentally introduces a capital Spanish dance, which is a feature in itself. Among other first appearances is numbered Miss Ivy Goodwill, a talented young Australian artiste who scored heavily in some catchy songs and clever dancing. Music is the backbone of the programme, and Messrs Heath and Lamb, the Newcastle vocalists, received a hearty welcome on their reappearance. Their weightiest success was the duet in which they appear in, their pit clothing and lamps. Madame Carrelli sings several new songs, and sings them exceedingly well. This young lady's popularity as a soprano singer is deservedly much on the increase. Her style is simple and therefore highly effective, and her enunciation gladdens the ear. The Coleman Sisters put in some good work, andl succeed in convulsing the multitude with their character song about the respective charms and attributes of the parlour and scullery maid. Miss Beattie M'Donald continues to form one of the popular attractions, and Mr Joe Charles, the character comedian, figures this week in various quaint songs and comic guises. The British Biograph pictures are again in evidence, and are by no means the least interesting part of an excellent programme.