THE KING'S THEATRE

Otago Witness, Issue 3005, 18 October 1911, Page 69

THE KING'S THEATRE

The managerial announcement of the appearance of an entirely new company, and the promise of an exceptionally attractive vaudeville programme, had the effect of drawing to the King's Theatre on the 16th an audience which practically filled the building. With a galaxy of new artists, the management had ntot the slightest difficulty in fulfilling its promise, and the programme was unquestionably the strongest and most entertaining that has been submitted at the Dowling street theatre for a very long time. The company was sufficiently strong to enable the ordinary first pact to be dispensed with, and the performance from rise to fall of .curtain was received with unbounded enthusiasm. Among the artists. figuring on the bills some were entirely new to Dunedin and others were old favourites. Among the former first place must be assigned to M'Gee and Reece, whose turn was billed as "a dancing review." It certainly covered almost the whole gamut of dancing steps that were as as they were grotesque being executed with rare abandon and finish. The exhibition of toe dancing furnished by the lady member of the duo must be conceded a most difficult and trying performance, which was as faultless as it was graceful. Their speciality, however, is American clog dancing, and in this they quite aroused the enthusiasm of the audience. The reception accorded them could hardly have been more favourable, and the vigorous applause bestowed on them was mnore than merited. Another artist new to Dunedin who made hie appearance last evening was Signer S. Martinengo, whose reputation as a soli 'cellist extends to the London and Provincial music halls. His pathetic story of an old, unemployed musician, recounted per _ medium of voice and 'cello, with appropriate stage setting, made a deep impression on) the audience. Spontaneous applause- greeted his effort, and, in-response to the insistent demands of the audience, he contributed several other selections, his playing of " Home, sweet home," being particularly , fine. .Mourner and Franz, strong men, who recently appeared at the King's Theatre, are on a return visit. Last evening they introduced several new and very attractive features. Their demonstrations of the Japanese art of self-defence were highly instructive and distinctly vigorous. The opening part of it was a humorous turn on an individual who responded to a call for someone from the audience to go upon the stage to testify to_ the soundness of . their methods. His production of a large alarm clock from one of. his pockets, and his disinclination to fall or bend when subjected to the various forms of jiu-jitsu provoked considerable laughter. There are few more popular artists on the Fuller circuit than Ward Lear, and his reappearance last evening after a lengthy absence was the signal for an outburst of hearty applause. For many minutes he kept the audience in a state of convulsive laughter with his boisterous songs and his grotesque garbs, and the reception meted out to him indicated that his popularity, thoroughly deserved, has in no way diminished. The National Duo, who also made their reappearance last evening, proved themselves the most promising child artists who have been seen on the local stage. The two children possess an ability and confidence which would do credit to artists of many years' experience. Their two " turns " were characterised by exceptional cleverness and brightness, , and the audience was quite loth to allow them to depart. Miss, Lucy Lavinia, who is favourably known' to Dunedin audiences, ,also made her reappearance, and her success in two songs was quite complete.' There -wer-i three other artists appearing on the bill who were new to Dunedin. These were Miss Ruby Rubira. balladist, who made a very favourable impression • Miss Marcella Gray, serio, who sang well and danced in dainty fashion ; and Leslie Shipp, comedian and clog dancer, in the latter of which he' is at his best. _ Two interesting bioscopic films were projected during the evening, and the performance concluded with a farce, in which Mr Ward Lear had the audience completely convulsed. The new bill contains many Very attractive features, and on its merits should draw crowded houses during the remainder of the week.