THE ROYAL TOGOS.

Colonist, Volume LXII, Issue 15239, 28 November 1919, Page 7

THE ROYAL TOGOS.

The vaudeville company headed by the Royal Togos and Louis Alsace commenced what promises to be a highly successiful season at the Theatre Royal last evening. The audience was large and1 appreciative, every item on the bright and varied programme presented being v;armly applauded. The Royal Togos 'are two remarkably clever Japanese jugglers and 'balancers, performing the most difficult feats with the greatestfacility and skill. The star item m this connection was the performance by TJgo, who juggled with six sticks, each about two"feefc in length, at the same time. He also did some remarkable balancing feats with a glass of water supported on sticks from his chin. Other juggling acts were done with umbrellas nnTtorches. George Togo, who is also an accomplished juggler and top spinner, does the sensational act of climbing a rope suspended from the roof above the dress circle to tiie hour below tlie stage. With only a sunshade for a balance, tho little Japanese walks up the rope, which is gripped with Jus toes, and when he reaches" the level of the dross circle he .slkles back on his feet to the floor. This performance is repented, George being blindfolded and enveloped in a sack. J.t is a daring feat, but tJie confidence of tho performer completely removes any fear on the part of the onlooker for his safety. Louis Alsace is a clever instrumentalist, and is equally at home with the violin the 'cello and the Alsacephone. His numbers on the violin were Selections from the grand operas "Rigoictto" anfl "11 Trovatore," and a dainty gavotte "Dream of Tyrolean," while on his 'cello he played "The Rosary," producing a fine tone. The audience expressed their appreciation by hearty applause. The Alsacephone is an instrument resembling a violin with a gramophone horn on which Mr. Alsace played some delightful Hawaiian melodies with a rare sweetness which quite captured his hearers. The ragtime airs were al.so popular. Miss Lalla Knight, who has a pleasing soprano, contributed several numbers, including "Break of Day, ; "My Am Folk,"' and. "The Bolls of St. Mary's," encores being demanded. Miss Wendy Dale and Alphonso provided clever musical sketches, which were marked by bright humour,-and were entirely free from any trace of vulgarity. Miss Dale displayed considerable versatility, her impersonation of a "Digger" ; and iier rendering; of a patriotic num- ! ber "When I get back to dear old New Zealand." quite capturing the popular taste. In the second part she kept the audience amused with her singing of "The Wind the other Way." Alphonse 1 also proved himself a clever entertainer, playing the accompaniments to the turn and contributing humorous songs, j Miss Ohana Mitsu was at the piano and I rendered efficient service throughout. J Altogether the programme was clever, artistic and amusing, and no doubt there will be another large audience this evening, when the company will appear again. '