PRINCESS THEATRE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3277, 3 January 1917, Page 46

PRINCESS THEATRE.

The new vaudeville and pantomime programme presented at the Princess Theatre on Monday was greeted with a full house at the afternoon matinee, and in the evening many had to bo turned away. The major portion of the entertainment 011tinucs to be the hilarious pantomime “.Robinson Crusoe,” but into this eccentric and witty composition several now musical numbers and a good deal of fresh dialogue have been introduced. Victor Prince, who is now nearing the close of a second season of eight weeks of remarkable popularity, is the life and soul of the pantomime, but there are several associated with him who know well how to present its broad burlesque with irresistible humour. A great variety of scenes and incidents in the story of the absurd search for the hidden treasure of “Rainbow Land” is presented, and each has its own comical side. Two quite new turns were included in the programme. One of the newcomers was Bud Hadfiold, wiio gave an exhibition of novel and difficult stepdancing. The others were the Elmars, man and woman and a dainty golden-haired girl. The man won loud applause when ho exhibited the extraordinary muscular and chest development that enables him to carry through his feats of strength and poise. One of tho best was to change from standing to lying and back again to standing with tho lady all tho time standing on his head. Ho also balanced on his forehad both tho lady and a bicycle she was riding. The brilliant musical powers of Colos on tho banjo were again quickly recognised by tho audience, who received his rendering of popular airs with tho greatest enthusiasm. Another performance, which, though not now now, could not bo omitted from mention in tho programme, is that of Tsuda, tho Japanese equilibrist. Tsuda works with a email, stout table, a largo white globe two or throe feet in diameter, and two chairs. The globe is placed on tho table, tho chairs find their way to tho top of the globe, and finally Tsuda finds his way on to the top of tlio chairs. One could scarcely credit tho absolute perfection of his balancing without seeing it, and many sympathised with tho man in tho gallery who shouted out to Tsuda, “You are unnatural.”