PRINCESS THEATRE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3212, 6 October 1915, Page 66

PRINCESS THEATRE.

One of the best programmes seen on the vaudeville stage in Dunedin for some time was presented on the 4th at the Princess Theatre. While the items were not of uniform merit there was nothing that could be described as weak, and very much was of a very high standard, both from a Cleveland entertainment point of view. Taking the items seriatim the first that claims special attention was that in which “ Alsace and Lorraine ” appeared. These two (lady and gentleman) are not only remarkably good instrumentalists _ but they give a musical entertainment in which is combined selections from grand opera to ragtime, and they perform all equally well. Placmg the better class music first they gave excerpts from “II Trovatore ” and “ Rigdletto ” most successfully, and thereafter devoted their attention to ballad music and the ragtime that is now so much in vogue and possesses such a charm for many people. They play quite a variety of instruments, and introduce some innovations which are quite effective—notably an electrical display with the xylophone in the performance of the anvil chorus from “ II Trovatore,” the stage being darkened for the occasion. Hazel Morris is a ragtime specialist of an exceedingly clever order, and it was some ■ little time before the audience, which completely filled the theatre, was prepared to part with her. She sang a number of items belonging to the class of music 6ho_ affects witEi capital effect, in which mobility of features largely assisted her. An extremely amusing sketch, during the progress of which the fan was fast and furious, was given by Tommy Armstrong and Miss Mabs Howarth before the curtain descended on the first part of the entertainment. Both presented comedy in a broad form with very great success, and without apparent effort "kept the audience in a boisterous state of merriment in their railway station sketch. A feature of what, remained was the aopoaranoe of “ Lutes and Company,” one of the twain, though minus both arms, exhibiting extraordinary dexterity and expertness in a variety of directions. _ The manner in which ho held musical instruments while performing on them, used carpenters’ tools in a way that might have filled a builder with envy, and made extraordinary shooting with a small bore rifle, was simply wonderful. It was quite obvious that the unfortunate loss of his hands troubled him little, _and_ that he could “ handle ” anything with his feet with quite as much facility as others equipped as nature intended they should be. II is marksmanship was of a startling order, and included, among other things, the striking of a card held edgeways. Miss Rose Lee Ivy. in her songs, covered a wide range or music, the humorous appealing more strongly to the audience than anything else. Frank Horborte reappeared in descriptive and illustrated ballads, and Miss Kollo’s new set of character songs were warmly applauded.