THE OPERA HOUSE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7233, 21 October 1901, Page 1

THE OPERA HOUSE.

The floor portion of 'the Opera House was crowded on Saturday night, -when Dixs Gaiety .Company submitted the usual weekly change of. programme. Mr Irving Sayles was again in evidence, all his items being loudly applauded. Little Fanny Powers's songs were encored, and the Sisters WorraJl were successful with their singing and dancing, as was also Miss Ida Clarkson. Messrs (J. Pope, A. Monk, and C. Howard were well received. To-nighfc .Boy Murphy, a juvenile trick cyclist, will ;nake his appearance. With this addition the same bill will be repeated this evening. On Jan. 1, 1902, Mr Dix will take over t-be Princess Theatre and Provincial Hotel, * Dunedin. He has purchased the entire blocks and the price exceeds £20,000. As soon,; as there is a vacancy of six or eight weefefc, it is intended to spend another £5000 in improving the hotel and theatre. Plans are now being. perfected by Mr Pitt, .the well-known Sydney architect, who has designed most of the Australian theatres. Mr Dix is also having a new theatre built in Queen Street, Auckland. It will be up-to-date in every particular. Tihe seating capacity will be fourteen hundred. Tipup chairs will be used in. both circle and .stalls. There will be a sliding roof; while every modern appliance, including hot and cold air pipes, will be utilised. The cost will be over £35,000, and it is claimed that when completed it will be the most perfect theatre in the colonies. Jfc will be opened on Boxing night, 1902, with an entirely new combination of English pud American artists.