MISS ADA REEVE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 14593, 1 May 1918, Page 5

MISS ADA REEVE.

ENTERTAINMENT AT OPERA

HOUSE

Miss Ada Reeve, the talented comedienne of world-wide fame, and her line company made their first appearance ;it the Opera House last night for a season of two nights. Miss Reeve captivates her audiences wherever she goes, and rthere was no exception to the rule m regard to the large audience that enjoyed the performance last night: Her personal charm and vivacity, sweet voice, dramatic }3owers, and extensive repertoire of songs combine to make Her one of the most popular performers on any stage, and she has associated with her a company of very -capable artists. Tho programme was a bright one, with plenty of variety,, comprising music, song, and story, wonderful mimicry, a clever exponent of "new magical problems," an amazing shadow-show, and a smart little play, "In the Future." There" were many persistent recalls, which were responded to m the best of good nature, but it was necessary to make some limit m order to finish up m reasonable time. Indeed, the audience would hardly let Miss Reeve conclude her share of the entertainment, .and she had to reappear time after time m compliance with the wishes of the audience, expressed m a most enthusiastic manner. She makes her appearance m the second half of the programme, and was given a great ovation, among those present 1 being many who had had the great pleasure of seeing her performances ' m other centres. Those who had not previously seen her soon gained an understanding of how' this artistic performer wins the hearts of the audience wherever she appears. .Miss Reeve soirg "after song, to the delight of the audience, and m every item was able to infuse that characterisation which gives such lustre -to what m oiiher hands might seem, little ! above the -average. Her songs included' "Knickerbockers," "Experience," "They Do," "Foolish Questions," "The Oriental Girl," "Right Tooral-ay-Rooral," "Tennessee," '-'lit 'the Days "of Richard the Second,"; and .others, ; a duet with* Mr. Andrews, "The Simple 1 Melody,"' arid the fine selection, "Ain't He, Jim?" AH were given m the manner, which enables Miss Reeve to give the greatest pleasure to her audience. Talleur Andrew, described as an operatic tenor, Jitade a marked impression as a singer. He was encored four times after splendidly singing the. "Border Ballad," his responses being "An 'Old-Fashioned Lady," "Take a Pair> of Sparkling* 'Eyes,' and Pagliacci's fine descriptive aria, "On With the. Motley." Liicie* Linda is an exceptionally clever dancer, and after a capital, exhibition of tip-toe dancing, she apjtea'red' "m _ quick-change national edsttfmes, arid gave dances indicative of /France, Belgium,' Scotland, Ireland, and England:/ . Loni£ Nikola followed up, aTi^ama.zing display of magical mysteries, with sQm.eV ;. w.ohderf ul handshadows,'. He.was/ tftus .aßie to represent numerous; miiitapf and naval.h eroes, producing a' wbnderiiil- "likeness;" screen, land even showed tK^ quick jdespatch that shobld ,be giygft ;£o .;t.he German Qrbwri Prince..; He'&l^pr'shoived/ animals, a man fishing, and sioine nabsf; amusing -'subject^. took .every : one by .surprise' 'with, hrs .mimicry:' He has been" declared the cleverest mimic who has' e Vet : Visited; Isf^ijw .'^ealand'; , and certainly justifies thle claim r : He began by imitating, a cornet, and then gave, numerous other examples, from the Te Karaka. train to motor-cars m various ihoods of obstinacy and otherwise^ including an unmusical horn, and. then he imitated the sounds made by a horse proceeding at different gaits and "quickening his page when assailed by a dog, but the mimicry of the mandoline, banjo, and other musical instruments aroused much enthusiasm, the performance being greatly enjoyed. Other performers comprised Peggy Peat, a dainty soubrette ; Harry Jacobs, who sang some catchy songs, besides conducting the orchestra ; and Kennedy Allen, a character and burlesque comedian. The fanciful futurist play, "In the Future," showing what man may come to when the wife becomes the chief bread-winner, caused much fun,, the characters being as follows :\ Ronald (the luisbftnd), Mr. Ashtdn . Jarry. ; Olga (the lover), Miss Georgia ■de Lara ; May (the wife), Miss Peggy Peat; Jenkins (the servant), Mr. John Grant. The season will; be brought to a close to-night, when a change of programme' ■' will be given.