STAGE-STRUCK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11025, 13 March 1914, Page 1

STAGE-STRUCK.

FUN AT THE OPERA HOUSE. ORDEALS FOR AMATEURS. The announcement that Mr Leonard Nelson would hold a competition at the Opera House last night resulted in a packed house, and many hundreds of people were unable to obtain admission. After several items of the current programme had been given Mr Nelson made his ' appearance'. His songs were received with the greatest enthusiasm, and at the conclusion ho stated that, the competitors would appear and <lo their "turns." He stated that it was a big ordeal for them, and asked the'audience to give them a chance "to got going." At the saino time he asked,that nothing should be thrown on to the stago, but that-order should bo-maintained. ( On being informed that they were at liberty to show their disapproval m other wavs if they became'tired of an item 5 ,' many among the' audience made it apparent that'they, intended to do so should"'the occasion arise. .

The first competitors were the "Watson Trio, who were announced as singers and dancers. Their attempt was feeble. Almost at the outset the audience had made up its mind that it had had enough, and the curtain was soon lowered'to an accompaniment of shouts and yells of. laughter. W if- , liam M'Gee was the second competi-j tor to go through the ordeal. He sang in a loud and uiunplodious. voice, " The Boys of tho 'Fire Brigade," and •although'he had at times'--an "impromptu accompaniment of bells and horns, he got through, his "piece 6afcly. i > L. Croft, •who vras dressed in weird attire, sang what was alleged to he a comic song, hut at the end of tho -third verso, cries'of "Oh shut it up," resulted in his downfall. Lea Alexander was nervous, extremely, nervous. • Tie essayed the song ""Wait Till the Clouds 801 l By." After being-ex-horted several times to "speak up, he was promptly counted out. Nicholson and Harris were ( - conjurors, and performed creditably, thereby earning much applause William Parnell sang "I Put on My Coat and Went Homo." After a couple of verses he also was counted out, but he was determined not to be shouted down, aud sang through all the dm, although ho could' not. be heard. One of the best performances of the eveniug followed. It was. a whistling solo by William G. India, and tho audience showed great Approval of the item, which was artistic -and pleasing. Hie next competitors provided more hilarity than all tho others put together, but not because they wore successful. Their names were lost m the roar of laughter that greeted their appearance. They could not make themselves heard, but they went on with their "turn." It was apparently A blood-curdling'.drama, and after-some moving of the lips the villain pointed a pistol'point-blank at the heroine and fired. After a little hesitation she dropped dead, with her hands " held rigidly up in the air.. The villain then fell awkwardly across the body of the ■heroine and also succumbed, amidst shrieks of hysterical laughter from the audience. The drama had ended and the curtain dropped. John Denny' sang " Come With Me to the Races,*' and soon found favour. Walker and Mills followed wjth' a humorous sketch and also received-much applause. A. H. Jones sang one verse of "No One, Knows," and .was then counted out.' Fred Seelon gesticulated wildly to the' audience when he was not allowed to play his miniature flute without interruption. Although his remarks could not be heard, he appeared to be saying unpleasant things concerning his treatment. A sentimental eolo was sung by a very nervous young man, but "he quickly Joined the ranks of the. "not wanteds." Several other competitors sought recognition for their work, but did not receive a great deal of encouragement, though Hoskela and Cox, in a '"darkie " turn, cave a favourable performance. 0 At the conclusion the audience voted William G- Tnnis the winner for his whistling solo, and the current programme of vaudeville was then continued.

The ordinary programme will be presented' again to-night.