Royal Burlesque Company.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 8425, 23 January 1896, Page 2

Royal Burlesque Company.

Percy St.John’s Burlesque and Gaiety Company gave a capital evening’s entertainment in the Theatre Royal last night to a fairly good downstairs house, thinner upstairs than the treasurer would approve of. The base of operations (to adopt a military term in this Jingoistic period), was a burlesque of the story of Cinderella, irreverently but quite after their nature, called “Cinders” by her masculine sisters. The burlesque, metrical and bristling with puns, and full of life and colour heightened by limelight, was interrupted frequently for the purpose of introducing miscellaneous varieties of merit. Miss Ada Lempriere made a good Cinderella, indeed all the parts were well taken, and the choruses were good. Among the singers Miss Busch rendered several items very nicely indeed, and

Miss Wilmot also sang very well. A clever youngster, Addie Favart, brought down the house with her “ Giddy Little Curate,” and with a song “ Di, Di,” gave a pretty skirt dance. An eccentric comedian. Mr Stevens, was recalled for his comic song. One of the most memorable items was the gunspinning feats of Frank Absoleh, a Turkish soldier. He has been here before with one of the circuses, but his gi-aceful and trying feats never lose their charm of wonder. He was strongly applauded and encored. A musical trio earned the largest share of applause, however. Three young men played successively, mandolins and guitar, cornets and trombone, dulcimers of wood, and the bells. In the last they gave “ Ring the Bell, Watchman,” and some prestissimo play at the close brought down the house, and a determined encore, to whi.-h they responded with “ Poor Old Joe,” and another lightning manipulation at the close. The last act was preceded by a neatly performed ballet, and wound up with a song in praise of Australia, before a tableaux, in the Britannia style, but with no suggestion of belligerency. The company includes a good orchestra, amongst whom is a “ rattling ” kettledrummer.

To-night there is a change of programme. The comic opera “ Faust,” with interpolated items, and if—as no doubt it will be—it is as good as last night’s work, a capital evening’s amusement will be provided.